Cultural Context


Scholars have grouped social and cultural contexts together. I believe they're better understood separated, though they are more often mutually inclusive. While societal rules, or laws, stem from a need for order and justice, cultural mores are based on values. Family, country, security, wealth, sacrifice, education, work; cultural values are found in the individual, in relationships and in expectations. Counter-cultural values are easy to identify in hindsight, like racism, violence, sexism, any -ism for that matter, but are only identifiable when their contrast to cultural norms becomes manifest. By then, for too many victims, it's too late.

Again, I'm one to advocate individuality. I'm certainly not calling for marginalizing anyone who may not share widely held social and cultural mores and values. It's when one's cultural context becomes abruptly truncated where others need to notice, be aware, be willing to engage, ask questions, and assess.

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