Chapter 6 of “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell investigate the origins of certain behaviour of specific parts of society, especially in particular locations. In the chapter, a historical picture is given of the county of Harlan in Kentucky, where in the late nineteenth century a feud between two families in the county resulted in the deaths of a number of people from both sides. It is shown that these feuds was not particular to this county alone, but were a common characteristic in the area. This violent behaviour by members of this community is explained by their origins; their ancestors had migrated from the southern lowlands of Scotland and northern England where they had been herders. Herders were forced by circumstances to be violent to protect their interests unlike crop farmers since there was a high risk of losing their livelihoods if they did not assert their authority over the resources they controlled (Gladwell, 2008 pp 168).
Another experiment was conducted in the University of Michigan where the anger levels of a test group were investigated on two distinct groups of southerners and northerners. From the study, it was found out that southerners displayed more anger than northerners, despite the fact that they lived hundreds of years since the end of the era of the culture of violence ended, and the herding was no longer an economic activity (Gladwell, 2008 pp 170).
The explanation given for these behaviours is the honour culture, where society developed strong bonds based on family and bloodlines. These honour cultures were a way of ensuring that families survived in an environment where assertion of authority was vital. On the other hand southerners in a northern university showed traits of anger and aggression. This was in an environment where survival was not based on violence that their ancestors had to endure. The explanation given for this behaviour was social inheritance, where traits are inherited through generations despite a change in the environment (Gladwell, 2008 pp 172).
This is an explanation on which I would base my legacy. I believe that I have traits which I have inherited socially from my ancestors of working hard to deal with difficult situations, the odds notwithstanding. I am a single parent, and though the duties of parenting are very difficult since the outcome of the life of another individual is dependent on me, I still work hard to provide the best parenting I can to my child. The task is difficult with both parents, and some single parents may find it too difficult to bear. This is in spite of the stereotypes that exist in the society today and which look down upon single parents as individuals who are destined to fail. I work very hard to prove them wrong, a winning attitude which I believe I may have acquired from the difficult environment I am living in.
I also work full time to provide for my family. This takes the better part of my time yet I still manage to go to school to improve on my skills and better my life. These two tasks would be more than an ordinary person can take, but in addition to this, I still find time to spend with my family and give them the love that they deserve. Through the winning attitude and hard work I am able to fulfil all my obligations to family, work and education. I believe that these attributes have been passed on to me through social inheritance from my ancestors before me.
Works Cited
Gladwell, Malcolm. Outliers: the story of success. Little, Brown and Company, Boston: MA. 2008
