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iammayee2020 · 3 years

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“How can I create a non-pathological culture, while embracing deviancy and tradition at the same time?”

Culture is the collective term to identify certain ideas, customs, and social behaviors. It represents a group of people or a society, combining their knowledge, beliefs, morals, and laws and traditions are ideas and beliefs passed down from one generation to the next. Therefore, it’s the shared patterns of our behavior and interaction which are learned through socialization. Each family within a culture can have its own unique traditions while sharing other common ones.

One’s tradition and culture are very beneficial because it offers many positive effects and by helping construct the persons’ sense of self-identity. As well as, holding a community/family together that supports one another through difficult problems and moments of happiness. However, traditions might also cause negative effects because harmful traditions still exist. It exists in many different forms that can create damage in the persons’ life by holding them back from success. Most likely, imposing them to limitations. A positive value that tradition provides is a sense of creating self-identity. Tradition plays many significant roles in life by reflecting the personality or view of the person. It also provides a close inspection of their culture.

Deviance is the interference of the social norm in a given community culture. The deviance in the cultural setting has its cons and its pros in many communities in the society. The meaning of deviance varies from one society to another, but the general meaning is not following the norms of the society of a given community setting of the people. Deviance is weighed by the society's reactions, also it is measured by the society's way of life so that it defines the unwelcoming behavior in the society. In most cultures in the society setting, it is based on the values, deeds and beliefs that are achieved through interaction among the people in the society. The conflict in the culture impacts the creation of the social norms. The deviation from the culture norms can be attributed to the social classes in the society. The reason for the deviant people to take a different direction from the social norms is due to the way they were raised and the pressure in the society, but others deviate because of specific reasons. The social norm varies from one community to another. Behaviors which are acceptable in one culture may appear rude and unacceptable in another culture settings, therefore, the cultural understanding of deviance varies among different cultures in the world.

According to different theories like Cultural transmission theory, sees most societies as comprising disparate groups that uphold their own distinctive cultures. When a person conforms to one of those ‘subcultures’, he or she may automatically appear to be a deviant from the perspective of people in most of the other subcultures.

A Subculture is a group that has values that are different to the mainstream culture. Subcultural theorists argue that deviance is the result of whole groups breaking off from society who have deviant values (subcultures) and deviance is a result of these individuals conforming to the values and norms of the subculture to which they belong.

According to Travis Hirschi, norms emerge to deter deviant behavior, leading to conformity and groups. People will conform to a group when they believe they have more to gain from conformity than by deviance. Hirschi argued a person follows norms because they have a bond with society. These social bonds have four elements: opportunity, attachment, belief, and involvement. When any one of these bonds are weakened or broken a person is more likely to act in defiance.

The basic idea of Robert K. Merton’s anomie theory is that most people strive to achieve culturally recognized goals. A state of anomie develops when access to these goals is blocked to entire groups of people or individuals. The result is a deviant behavior characterized by rebellion, retreat, ritualism, innovation, and/or conformity.

Cultural deviance theory (Clifford Shaw and Henry Mckay) suggests that conformity to the prevailing cultural norms of lower-class society causes crime. Researchers Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay (1942) studied crime patterns in Chicago in the early 1900s.

Shaw and McKay concluded that socioeconomic status correlated to race and ethnicity resulted in a higher crime rate. The mix of cultures and values created a smaller society with different ideas of deviance, and those values and ideas were transferred from generation to generation.

Howard Becker (1963): his key statement about labelling is “Deviancy is not a quality of the act a person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an ‘offender’. Deviant behavior is behavior that people so label.”

What did Becker mean? What makes something deviant is not what is done, but how people react to what is done. The only thing that deviants act to have common is that they are labelled ‘deviant’ by others.

So deviancy is usually defined as acts outside established cultural norms- ways of doing things within a culture broadly agreed as the accepted normal so the prevailing culture influences what deviancy might be regarded as in a particular time and place. The individual is not responsible for their deviance as much as the community within which they reside. People are influenced by the place, people, and social structure of the community in which they reside. An act defined as deviant in one society may be seen as perfectly normal in another. Deviance is culturally determined, and cultures differ both from each other, and within the same culture over time.

Good leadership is always at the heart of culture change. Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior and norms found in societies formed by humans/groups, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. The way in which people think and act is dictated by their cultural heritage. These ideas and actions are applied to society at large. For this reason, culture plays a key role in the formation of cultural norms. People who subscribe to the traditions, customs and rituals that are prevalent within a society are viewed as being within the circle of society. Those who shun or reject these cultural norms are considered deviant or outside the societal norm. However, culture within society evolves over time. As populations mature, new traditions, customs and rituals are adopted by society. As cultures evolve and get adopted, it is possible that what was at one time considered deviant based on cultural unfamiliarity may eventually become a norm. The ability of societies to adapt is critical to long term survival. Progress is difficult for rigid societies. Often, they either break apart and are absorbed by other cultures and societies or they die out completely.

We can achieve non-pathological culture if there’s a people’s willing cooperation and acceptance and it should be developed through process and effort. To achieve a non-pathological culture, democratic participation, good governance and creativity must become the norm. But as an individual I should have and need a lot of knowledge and awareness about other traditions and culture and being just in every culture and tradition that exists.

We should be aware that cultural differences and similarities exist, while not judging people based on that. Let’s observe cultural differences without labelling them as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, or ‘right or wrong’. This doesn’t mean that I/we have to be an expert in other cultures. It just means being willing to be open-minded and to ask questions to get more information. Let’s build respect and empathy for other people, and celebrate our differences as well as our similarities. But Sometimes, for one reason or another, it’s not all that easy to understand some cultural differences. In these situations, the best approach is just to acknowledge that some people are different and to accept that that’s okay. You don’t have to understand, or even agree with, someone in order to accept them.

The main thing to remember is that everyone, no matter what their cultural background, has their own unique opinions, habits and ways of life. The sooner you accept that everyone is different, the easier it becomes to understand and embrace cultural differences.

The ability to learn from and relate respectfully to people of your own culture as well as others' is known as cultural responsiveness. Being culturally responsive requires openness to the viewpoints, thoughts, and experiences of others. This is not about changing others to be more like you. Instead, it is about exploring and honoring the differences of others. Developing a cultural- responsive attitude is a life-long journey. Let’s Learn to appreciate and value diverse views and Avoid imposing your own values. In today's world if we all are able to respect and know about other cultures, and respect their values and belief, life would be easier for most of us, and we can learn a lot of good things from each other. I know that I have learned a lot in this process, and I continue to learn each and every day.

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scripturient-manipulator · 7 years

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Native American Lakota Research

So I’m working on my trigger-laden story, and I love doing research, so I figured I’d share the parts I’ve saved with you guys! This is absolutely not the only research you should do if you need to; it’s just what I need. Anything in italics are my thoughts.

Mom: Ina Dad: Até

It’s gonna be real fuckin’ annoying to go up to Insert Special Characters every time I want to show their dad but that’s okay #firstworldwriterproblems

This tribe views death as an inevitable equalizer, something that happens to all living things despite their achievements on earth. The Lakota believe that the dead depart to a spirit world free of pain and suffering.

Okay so this link was some good shit right here

Typically, the Lakota bury their dead. Custom dictates that the tribe wait about a day and half before burial when a person dies at home, in hopes that the deceased might revive.

That’s fair, I mean the natural reaction to someone you love dying is wishing that they hadn’t, so it makes sense, plus I know ghosts are kinda an issue

Bodies are typically placed on a scaffold to encourage the spirit's journey into the sky. Burial practices vary and include traditional earth burial, air burial -- in which bodies are left in the open, a practice often used for warriors who have fallen in battle --, burial under mounds or rocks and even tree burial, in which the limbs of a tree stand in for a scaffold. These methods vary depending on the tribe, location and resources.

Oh nice, there’s a religion (Jainism, I think?) originating from Asia that does the air burial for everybody to offer sustenance to the earth and birds and everything.

Journey to the Spirit World

Much of the Lakota's beliefs about the spirit world manifest in their burial ceremonies. To help them on their journey to the spirit world -- a parallel plane of existence that can be reached by the living -- the Lakota take bundles of their belongings with them to the grave, including items such as weapons, pipes, tools and medicine. Mourners also place food and drink at the scaffold of the deceased and kill the departed's horse at this location, tying its tail to the scaffold.

Grief and Respect

Above all, the ceremonial beliefs and funeral customs of the Lakota are meant to show respect and reverence for those who have passed; in a mourning process that may last up to a year, this respect is often expressed through grief. Mourners express grief for the departed by singing, crying, wailing and running pegs through their limbs, cutting their hair or even -- in the case of female Lakota -- cutting off a part of their little fingers. To symbolize their grief for young children who have passed, the Lakota practice ritual crying and wound their own arms and legs.

I’m so happy, this is all perfect, this is exactly what I need. Should I do the whole wounding their arms and legs in term of Chelsea’s father? It’s been seven months for them and I also don’t wanna give anyone’s brain more fuel to prompt a trigger. I’ll think about it.

Like the belief systems of many indigenous people groups, the Lakota embrace the notion of a balanced universe and see death as a sacred and natural part of the life cycle. In fact, David recalled having attended dozens of funerals during his childhood and teen years, and saw to it that his own children attended funerals-not only for family members but for neighbors and friends, as well.

In keeping with Lakota custom, David's wake was an around-the-clock event with some members of the family or community present throughout the period of three days. Friends of David's took turns playing a funeral drum and chanting during the wake, and a traditional star quilt hung behind the open casket. Inside the community center where David's wake was held, his casket was placed inside a large tipi, in the belief that his spirit would commune with ancestors who would guide him to the spirit world.

So this is from an article about a specific Lakota man (David) who died and how his family followed traditions and customs in looking after him. I relish case studies in psychology so this is just delightful.

During David's funeral, several people shared memories of the ways his life had positively impacted the world, calling on the Lakota values of generosity, wisdom, fortitude (bravery) and kinship. Robert Davis, a middle school social studies teacher recalled David's wisdom as he told of visits to his classrooms and how students sat spellbound as they learned from this friend who had grown up on the reservation. "How was I to know that Sioux was a derogatory name?" Robert asked to the knowing laughter of many of the mourners. "But David had such a gentle way; he just quietly taught me the terms that better defined his tribal heritage. My kids and I all learned something important that day about using care when using 'labels.'"

Shit, I didn’t know that either. Since they’re using Lakota so much and there wasn’t any expansion on the terms I’m gonna go with Lakota being safe

At all times a surviving family member is with the body and available to visit with those who attend the wake. The casket is flanked on either side by a table filled with flowers and memorabilia of the deceased, and star quilts are hung on the wall behind the casket. All of these items will be given away. This is a time of open sharing, mourning, respect, and compassion. It is not uncommon to see people from all walks of life attend a Lakota wake. People take time off from work, travel long distances, even get a pass to leave jail for this sacred event. The concept of family is far reaching in this culture.

Those who attend the wake are welcome to add their own mementos to the casket as a parting gift to the deceased. Joan wryly commented that during a recent funeral home tour during her seminary education, the funeral director displayed a casket supplied with ‘secret’ pockets that could be filled with small mementos. She thought, “ This is nothing new, we’ve been doing this for years!” Another parishioner told me of witnessing this tradition as he attended a Lakota wake saying, “ My gosh, people kept putting things on top of the dead body that I thought we wouldn’t be able to see it finally.” Such an outpouring of presence and memorabilia frames the Lakota wake.

Oh I love the mementos thing, I want that at my funeral, fuck I’m tearing up

Buffalo meat has more protein and less fat than beef. It also has less cholesterol, yet a mere four ounces provides more protein than a half a dozen eggs. Wasna, because of the protein it contains, can raise a person’s iron level within 15 minutes. Today’s Lakota believe that their ancestors did not suffer from diabetes, heart disease, or cancer due to the healing powers of Wasna.

The Lakota diet was high in protein and often the tribe either had much food to eat, such as after they killed a buffalo, or very little. One of the traditional Indian food recipes that the Lakota have passed through the generations was Wasna. Wasna is a Lakota word with the "wa" meaning "anything" and the "sna" meaning ground up, although non-Lakota people refer to it as pemmican. This dish consisted of dried buffalo, dried berries, and fat or bone marrow. The Lakota’s would grind the ingredients together with a pounding stone. Wasna was a very good source of protein and the Lakota valued this traditional recipe not only as a food, but also as a healing instrument. Therefore, Wasna is often seen as a sacred food and was often used in ceremonies and rituals.

Another of the Indian food recipes that is a favorite is Lakota plum cakes. This recipe included dark raisins, purple plums, toasted hazelnuts, butter, flour, baking soda, cloves, honey, and maple syrup.

Okay, sweet. The food is only gonna show up for like five seconds because they’re having breakfast, but Wasna sounds perfect. Lakota plum cakes sound yummy too. But these seem like harried yet “responsible” parents, and they hold with plenty of traditions so I don’t think they would give their kids something that might be a dessert. I can’t tell, it doesn’t quite seem it even though the word cake throws me off. But best not to chance it; Wasna gets eaten not just during ceremonies and rituals by the looks of it.

The Lakota used honey and maple syrup as sweeteners

Nice, it’s always good to have something else to dribble on the readers’ senses

http://www.elexion.com/lakota/iyapi/words2.html

http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/lakota-burial-ceremony-beliefs-3711.html

http://www.selectedfuneralhomes.org/A-Lakota-Family-Remembers-199

^^^^^^^^This was so fascinating^^^^^^^^

http://www.indiana.edu/~famlygrf/culture/minton.html

http://indians.org/articles/indian-food-recipes.html

http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/did-lakota-indians-eat-7581.html

#writing #writeblr #writblr #writeblr research #research #Lakota #Native American #diversity #writing research #Lakota tribe

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