Rituals
Rituals can be described as a sequence of activities that involve gestures, objects, and words that are performed in a sequestered premises following a predetermined manner and sequence. Rituals may be dictated by the traditions of a certain community which may include a religious community. Characterization of rituals is majorly done through traditionalism, formalism, sacral symbolism, rue governance and performance. On the other hand, rituals are not defined by these factors. From time immemorial, we find that rituals have always been a feature of each known society. Rituals include rites to worship, sacraments of organized religions that extend to cults, oaths of allegiance, marriages, funerals, presidential inaugurations etc. (Machery, 2010).
Many of these rituals are performed for specific purposes concrete to the individuals performing them. We should have in mind that rituals in the field of psychology may be termed as a sense for a repetitive behaviour that is systematically used by an individual to neutralize as well as reduce the chances of anxiety. In psychology, any activity that reduces the levels of anxiety and feeling out of place of any individual are considered to be of utmost assistance to the inferior party. For day care workers or teachers, rituals they perform may come into conflict with some of the student’s beliefs because of the diverse backgrounds. To overcome such problems, teachers and day care should have an understanding of what works for the greater majority (Machery, 2010).
Values are another aspect that day care worker and teachers should consider in their day to day activities. Different values work for different individuals. An example is that some of their students may consider certain morals which may not apply to others. It is the duty of teachers and caregivers to find a common ground where the diverse values can be exercised (Machery, 2010).
Question 2
In most societies, gender-related issues have been a bone of contention for long. Many of these communities define gender as being either a man or a woman. Women have been seen to be naturally inferior to men dating from the story of creation. However, in recent times, gender equality has become one of the most heated debates in globally. Gender equality is the view whereby everyone receives equal treatment without being discriminated with regard to race and gender (Aumer, 2014).
Gender equality doesn’t really anchor well on the international platform. Some of the cultural attitudes still will not advocate for this. On gender equality, some cultures may have an attitude with regard to the position sand privileges that women may tend to hold. The difference is in cultural attitudes that arise from gender equality related issues may impact the relationships between opposite sex persons from different cultures. A practical example exists when men who believe that they are superior to women meet with women who look at both genders as equals (Aumer, 2014).
Different cultures have different roles when it comes to gender and it is considered a taboo when one gender performs duties initially not meant for them. Some years back, people, especially women would find it rough when caught on the wrong side of doing things. This brought about tension in the relationships between different genders. These roles have their own values and beliefs which act as a guiding factor on the code of running things. Generally, these values and beliefs vary with different cultures and this aspect may bring about a change in the relationship between opposite sex persons from different cultures (Aumer, 2014).
Question 3
The international platform is gaining popularity with regard to the diverse cultures. Counties are sending their representatives to other countries and for representation purposes. However, we have to keep in mind that there are a number of challenges that face the international platform. We find that the international system has been faced with quite a number of challenges that range from conflicts, authoritarian, under-development, and bad governance. This can be described as the global systems anarchy. Conflict can be defined as a situation where groups, people or even countries get involved in various disagreements. Conflicts are brought about by opposing ideas, feelings, culture, opinions just to mention but a few. In light of this, it is important that an international representative is well versed with the challenges that they are bound to experience especially with countries whose relations with their mother country cannot be described as the best (Kubálková, 2015).
First and foremost I would make the individual know the purpose and principle of the united nation charter which is meant to restore peace. From recent news, we find that Syria is a country consumed by war led by rebels. The social-Cultural challenge is one of the aspects that the individual being sent to Syria should consider. Syria being a Muslim country have different beliefs when it comes to sex and gender roles, morality and Education. With regard to morality, unlike in the USA, Muslims do not tolerate the western culture and they believe in upholding the integrity especially in how their women dress. The education system in Syria is mainly based on Madrasa principle and again this is a trait to look out for. Sharia laws in Syria are very much active and as a result, those who go contrary to these laws are faced with heavy consequences. Therefore for the US individual, it is highly important that he/she learn mainly through observation before engaging in major activities with them while in the country (Kubálková, 2015).
Question 4
Culture and gender have been found to shape various emotions. This is because, in a way, the value that is usually placed on emotions and their expression vary differently with different cultures and groups. Emotions are universal in every human experience. However, the social norms that guide this expression have been found to vary across different cultures. A practical example is that people in Western and Eastern cultures have a variance in their subjective emotional experiences. These experiences are inclusive of the duration and intensity of response. Arguments have been brought forward which suggest that culture doesn’t necessarily have to be taken into account when it comes to understanding human emotional expression. Well, to a certain degree, culture does play a part in understanding human emotions. From the article, we find that East Asians value low arousal positive emotions like feeling calm while Western Americans value high arousal positive emotions such which entail a state of being excited (Davis, Greenberger, Charles, Chen, Zhao & Dong, 2012).
On the other hand, gender norms have been found to influence emotion regulation and emotion responding. In light of this argument, we find that a universal trait deems women to be more emotionally expressive than men. This leads them to engage in different types of strategies with regard to emotion-regulation. However, with both arguments on emotions with the basis of either culture or gender, there have been no studies to examine the combined effects of both with regard to emotion regulation (Davis, Greenberger, Charles, Chen, Zhao & Dong, 2012).
References
Aumer, K. (2014). The influence of culture and gender on sexual self-schemas and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 29(3), 280-292.
Davis, E., Greenberger, E., Charles, S., Chen, C., Zhao, L., & Dong, Q. (2012). Emotion experience and regulation in China and the United States: how do culture and gender shape emotion responding?. International Journal of Psychology, 47(3), 230-239.
Kubálková, V. (2015). International relations in a constructed world. Routledge
Machery, E. (2010). Explaining why experimental behavior varies across cultures: a missing step in “the weirdest people in the world?”. Behavioral and brain sciences, 33(2-3), 101-102.
