Lesson 10: What is Culture?

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able

  • Identify the meaning of culture
  • Identifying their own culture

Teaching

Culture, race and ethnicity are often confused with each other.  To make things a little simpler, let’s take a moment to separate the three. 
             
RACE – First, let’s get one thing straight.  There is only one biological race…..the human race.  Over the years, society has used the term race to develop power hierarchies based on privilege and power.  It is a social construct and has nothing to do with genetics.  However, society has grouped race based on physical differences such as skin color.  You often see the term when asked to define your “race” as Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, etc on forms you fill out at the doctor’s office or applications.

ETHNICITY – This term describes our nationality.  It is about where we come from and IS related to genetics.  One might say that they are Irish, Korean or Portuguese.  Socially, the term is often used with the term race.  You might see it grouped together on forms when they ask you to define your race/ethnicity.  Sometimes it is separate and they use race for skin color and ethnicity to determine origin.  Many times the options of choosing ethnicity are the same as the options for race and it gets very confusing!

To simplify - Watch this short video.  This woman sums it up nicely.  Differences between Culture, Ethnicity and Race

CULTURE – Like the woman in the video said, culture is something we are taught by other human beings.  This can be something that is passed down from generations and can be socially broad or as simple as your specific lifestyle.  Watch this video, Major Elements that Define Culture, to learn more about the symbols, language, values and norms that define cultures.  
As you watch, take note of what symbols, language, values and norms that are a part of your culture.  For example:

  • When I watch the part about symbols I think about horseshoes.  My family plays horseshoes every year at our family reunion.  In fact, we value this tradition so much that we play a tournament every year and our name is placed on the plaque if our team wins!  When I think of a horseshoe I think of family, traditions, fun and the hot summer weather.  It is part of my family culture.
  • When I watch the part about language I think of English of course but the Main-ah language more specifically.  My family is from northern Maine and attaching the “ah” at the end of every word is common.  So much that I would define it as part of our family culture and others who are not from around here do not understand some of what we say or think we have weird accents.  We also hug everyone.  We are warm individuals with friendly body language.  Other Maine-ahs may not be hugging people, but it is part of our language.  When we hug we are saying, “I miss and love you”
  • When I watch the part of the values I think of hard work.  I come from a family that values hard earned money and providing for our children.  It does not matter how much money or how you earn it, it is about making sure there is food on the table and a roof over your head.  It is about trying your best and providing for your family.
  • Lastly, when I watch the video about norms I think of dinner time.  In my family, hats are not to be worn at the table if you are eating.  If you are at a picnic table chatting, it is fine but if people are eating, it is seen as disrespectful.

So what does this have to do with Early Childhood Education?

To work with families and children, we must first understand who we are as individuals and understand our bias’s.  First by developing cultural self-awareness we learn that others hold different values and beliefs than our own and that is okay.  We can then learn to appreciate others values.  We do not always have to agree but it is not our place to judge.  Instead we can take the opportunity to learn from one another and build relationships with families by respecting their individual and family cultures.

Assessment

Lesson 10 Assignment

Taking a look at our own culture:

Take the notes you took from the video and reflect upon what your individual culture is.  As you think about your language, values and norms, what symbols come to mind?  For this assignment you will provide a picture or video of an artifact that represents your individual and/or family culture.  You will talk/write about:

  • Why you chose this artifact that symbolizes a part of your culture
  • What the symbol means to you
  • What values the symbol holds
  • What normal the symbol holds

If you are writing a paper, it should be no longer than a page is necessary and the picture should not be any larger than a quarter of the page.  If you are making a video, keep the length of the video to about 3 minutes.

Lesson 10 Discussion A

What is one thing that surprised you when watching these videos in the lessons?

Lesson 10 Discussion B

In a few sentences, describe your cultural artifact and why you chose it.