Psychology
Abstract
Men are a social group, and every other person should expect to be treated as they treat others. However, how one relates to others can be attributed to their upbringing as well as factors such as religion. For people to understand one another and co-exist in harmony, factors of culture, religion and race have to be appreciated in a positive manner, and should not be reasons for a group of people to be judged in a certain manner. Disregarding this brings forth vices in the society, as people fright to be regarded in respect that they feel they deserve. Religion, culture and race bring about uniqueness and diversity, which when embraced brings forth harmony amongst humans.
A person is defined by their upbringing, which shapes how one views different issues in life. Upbringing dictates how one related with others in the society as well as believes and non believes. This includes religious believes as well as the arguments concerning culture, relationships, sexuality and even friendship. Religious believes seem to have more precedence in as far as how people relate is concerned, where one argues about how to relate with others in terms of how the religion they follow expects it to be done.
Research have found that religious believes ring benefits to people’s lives, with religion being credited with promoting individual well being of persons, communities as well as families. Religious following have been seen as beneficial to the poor, with religion being seen as the one behind good families, strong marriages, and healthy relationships, whose effects are felt through reduced crime, improved mental health, reduction in abuse of drugs and substance and domestic violence.
These effects are felt along generations, depending on the precedence that the grand parents have set for their children, which translates to what the family line will adopt as the religious and behavioural culture.
America's Founding Fathers understood the vital role that Religion plays in a free society. Far from shielding the American people from religious influence, the Founders promoted the freedom of religion and praised the benefits that it brings to society. George Washington articulated this in his farewell address to the nation: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports (2006).
In the case of Sam whose parents were immigrants with a Muslim background, his parents were migrants and his religious belief system was different to most Australians. His Muslim heritage was something he was very proud of, a defining characteristic, and although he didn’t talk about it all the time, he certainly had an interest in raising awareness about Muslim cultural practices, the reasons for certain rituals and holidays.
Sam is seen to want to continue with the believe of his parents, in as far as religion is concerned, a situation which affects how ne relates with people, his relationship with the opposite sex being seen as something he prefers to put into a lot of check, for him not to violate what she has been taught. Sam prefers to keep to himself, and keeps away from relating closely with females, a character he mainly draws from his religious belief.
Religious believes can be attributed to the general culture of a nation and a society. A combination of strong marital relationships and religious practice brings forth a strong society, which results to a generation that is successful and strong in abiding to norms and practices. A marriage which is closely coupled with religion shapes intellectual, physical, emotional and mental health in women, men and children, and also equips them with habits and values and habits that are a positive reflection to economic activity that is prosperous in nature.
Taking the case of Sam, he felt very sensitive for example; he often felt that he was not being treated fairly and that this was because of his religious beliefs. Although there is little doubt that at times he may have been correct given the amount of prejudice in our society, there were also times at which he was not correct such as not initially being offered his current role because of his discomfort interacting with others. This can be attributed to the difference in culture as well as religion, and for him to cope with the environment he was faced with, he preferred withdrawing and opting for alternative ways of socializing; including online gaming, as a way of safeguarding his beliefs in issues.
This is as a way of safeguarding what he believes in, which psychologically translates to withdrawal and seeking alternative ways of socializing and building relationships. Being in an environment that does not entirely promote his religious believes causes Sam to look for alterative social life, which he successfully does through online gaming. This is a common occurrence with people who find themselves in a culture different from theirs. They tend to look for their peers using alternative methods, including use of computer technology such as the social media.
Religion promotes self control and character. Most religious teachings teach followers how to practice self control even as they engage in day to day activities. This case can be seen in Sam; whose religious belief make him to keep off women and even tell them off, something that is not common in some cultures. It takes religious belief and religious culture for one to decide on the moral path they want to take, and even abide by the moral standing.
When ones moral standing is dictated by their religious belief, one creates a behavior which when adopted makes it their culture. Religious groupings promote coping skills, that help one to cope with environmental changes without necessarily falling or changing their ways in favor of the culture they find themselves in. this however, requires for one to have had a strong religious background for them to be able to come out as such. It however applies to those who view their religious affiliation positively, and not as oppression (Tarakeshwar, Stanton & Pargament, 2003.
Difference in cultural and religious believes can work positively for someone who is interested in working on personal growth. Taking the case of Sam, he capitalizes on his being in a different culture for him to concentrate more on his activities, rather than having his attention drawn to other activities that are not beneficial to him.
Sam performs very well being excellent and statistical analyses complex, well executed, and written in a fashion that was relatively easy to interpret. Hence, his post-graduate thesis was turned into a journal article and published in a high ranking international journal. However, he often thought others would steal his ideas and so was not forthcoming in research meetings even though he knew what he was embarking on next.
He is seen to use his lack of social networks around him for his benefit, since he does not have so many activities that are diverting his attention. Unlike the case of such people as those who are in their own cultures, Sam utilizes most of his time in career, which translates to his becoming excellent in career. Psychologists can term this as unhealthy, but Sam seems to use it to his advantage.
Culture difference and diversity can therefore be said to be a good thing, and if one is really serious in achieving their life goals, he or she can use cultural difference to their advantage. For the case of \Sam, he uses the cultural difference between him and where he is staying to concentrate more in building himself in career, which sees to it that he comes our as an excellent career person. Cultural difference cannot therefore be said to be a hindrance to personal development. The person in question is the one that makes the difference.
Sam uses cultural and religious background as a way of keeping of what he feels unnecessary in his life. This is seen as he shuts off on women, which he attributes as lack of interest, whereas he knows that despite being heterosexual, it is not his timing to relate with the opposite sex (Wong, Man & Rachael, 2009). Cultural differences influences even the smallest things that everyone would ignore. If there is no willingness or even the effort to bridge the gap, then cultural difference can affect ones relationship.
Avery supports this by claiming that
The little cultural differences can be worked out, as long as both people are willing to make an effort to communicate. The hardest part is to remember not to make any assumptions about how the other person is supposed to behave or react, which is really valid in any relationship, even between people from the same culture (2004-2010).
Cultural differences play a major role in dictating interpersonal relationships. According to theorists, different cultures have different ways in which they define interpersonal relationships. Take for example the case of Sam; he prefers to keep off women, despite their view that he is physically attractive. According to Cushman & Cahn, 1985, the western culture bases it appeal on the physical attractiveness and sexual appeal that one shows, unlike in the Asian culture that bases its view of interaction mainly on affection and friendship.
This can be attributed to the many broken marriages that characterize the western culture, due to the fact that attractiveness fade or change, but behaviour and culture does not. For this reason, the relationships that are based on the western beliefs tend to go as far as the physical attractiveness last, but those that are based on friendship and affection last (Focus on the Family, 1997-2012). This is the culture that Sam represents, where although physical attractiveness of a person makes some difference, it does not guarantee a stable relationship.
The culture Sam was living in is an intolerant one, and judges people in terms of physical outlook, culture and religion. To survive in such a culture, one needs not to identify with it, but just understand it and adopt ways of coping with it. Sam does it through avoiding socializing in person much and instead developed relationships with people through online gaming. Other gamers often shared their knowledge and resources in the game, which is as far as Sam was willing to go in socializing.
This helped him to live in his comfort zone, where his virtual social network did not have much of a chance to judge him in terms of culture religion or even race. These three aspects are a major concern in the western culture, where people tend to judge one another in terms of their race, religion and culture (Sewell & Heise, 2010). This has been an impediment to embracing the fact that humans come in divergent status. As such, vices as neo colonialism has come up, as well as terrorism as people feeling like they are being looked down on retaliating as a way of claiming their place in the society.
As a social animal, man expects to be treated in a certain manner for him to respond in a positive manner. Man should therefore not shy away from treating fellow men in a good manner, and when this happens, the response is always a positive one. Appreciating ones background and respecting is goes a long way in cultivating good relationships and respect (Wanna read you, 2011-2012).
Man should therefore embrace cultural diversity of fellow men, and not look at others as inferior due to their religious, racial or cultural affiliation. In the presence of all these, men are able to live in harmony. However, when these factors are missing or are overlooked, there is likely to come up such vices as enmity, racism, neo colonialist, which in the long run give birth to other more serious vices as terrorism.
References
Avery, L. (2004-2010). Cultural Differences. Retrieved from http://www.romantic4ever.com/d_romance_paris/2003_1001.html.
Cushman, D. P. & Cahn, D. D. (1985). Communication in Interpersonal Relationships. New York, NY: SUNY Press.
Fagan, P. F. (2006). Why Religion Matters Even More: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/12/why-religion-matters-even-more-the-impact-of-religious-practice-on-social-stability.
Focus on the Family. (1997-2012). How do cultural differences affect a couple's chances of success in married life? Retrieved from http://family.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26310/~/how-do-cultural-differences-affect-a-couple%27s-chances-of-success-in-married.
Sewell, A. A. & Heise, D. R. (2010). Racial differences in sentiments: Exploring variant cultures. Indiana. Indiana University.
Tarakeshwar, N., Stanton, J. & Pargament K. I. (2003). Religion: An Overlooked Dimension in Cross-Cultural Psychology. Washington, DC: SAGE Publications.
Wanna read you. (2011-2012). Interpersonal communication between two different cultural people. Retrieved from http://wannareadyou.com/interpersonal-communication-between-two-different-cultural-people.html#axzz2Nqlh7aJt.
Wong, Man, C. & Rachael (2009). Effects of Religion and Religiosity on Romantic Relationship: Love and Relationship Satisfaction. Hong Long: City University of Hong Kong.
