Cultural Communities Essay
In this essay, I will argue that to understand a person's behaviour, ways of life and their development, we need to understand their cultural practices and circumstances of their communities. I will also discuss how this can be done and the implication for this in early childhood education. Rogoff (2003) argues that humans are develops as cultural beings: "people develop as participants in cultural communities. Their development can be understood only in light of the cultural practices and circumstances of their communities– which also change" (p. 3–4)
According to Gonzalez– Mena (2003), understanding cultural differences can be confusing and no one can possibly know all about the culture of every family who might come into early...show more content...
6). However the same action in some other cultures is not considered appropriate. Tools, such as machetes, saws or cooking knives are not used by children when they are young. In different cultural communities it is expected that children will engage in activities at vastly different times in childhood, and may regard in other communities as surprising or even dangerous. For example in Fiji, children at age 12 are often regarded as capable of caring for themselves or tending another child. My parents would sometimes leave me and my younger brothers and sisters at home and go shopping in Fiji, but not in New Zealand. In New Zealand, it is an offense to leave a child under age 14 years without adult supervision.
Rogoff (2003) makes the points that: "interpreting the activity of people without regard for their meaning system and goals renders observations meaningless. We need to understand the coherence of what people from different communities do, rather than simply determining that some other group of people do not do what "we" do, or do not do it as well or in the way that we do it, or jumping to conclusion that their practices are barbaric" (p. 17). For example a generation ago in Japan, the United States and in urban areas of China formal education began with primary school and most children under five years were cared for, educated and raised by their full time mothers, grandparents, or older siblings (Tobin, Hsueh, & Karasawa, 2009).This view
Introduction: Everyone has their own perception of an ideal community. The selection of components for any ideal community will vary depending upon the upbringing, culture, norms and values that prevail within any individual portraying view of an ideal community. Ultimately the task is to develop or construct such a community whose underlying principles, values and system of administration is based on key notes which shall be ideal for all of the people that live in that community irrespective or their religion, caste, creed, race, culture, ethnicity and other dogma that prevail within them. Construction Of an Ideal Community: To construct such a community we need individuals with specific traits and qualities who work for the...show more content...
The reasons mentioned above are huge to me and my ideal community, because as many of them state they promote a huge sense of togetherness and this would be key in any community of mine. Law and order: Residents are supposed to adhere to the laws of the country along with observing community rules and regulations. The rules and regulations shall be made in a way that all residents shall have independence within their individual capacity but activities of residents that may offend or disturb another resident within the community will not be permissible as it can disturb the community. Health, social & spiritual needs: My ideal community will propagate equality of rights in terms of health, social and spiritual needs. All communities should be allowed to practice their faiths to a capacity where it does not offend others, and this would be the case in my ideal community. I feel that quality health care is a required service that must be present within not only my ideal community, but within any community anywhere. In regards to this, health care facilities, hospitals, and the proximity to them will be key within my community. In case of emergency immediate attention, for myself, friends, family, and fellow community
Get more content
Commitment to community is a requirement for contemporary Americans and vital to its survival. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" is the unselfish act of sharing: from a cup of sugar to a wealth of information to the guardianship of all children involved and the protection of every individual in that said community. Whether that community consists of the "Classic Neighborhood, those with a common set of goals, or those who share a common identity" the thread that holds this matrix together is always woven into the shared identity as well as responsibility of all involved. (Redmond, 2010). A community cannot continue to exist through the will of withdrawn individuals who arms only embrace themselves and have no involvement whatsoever with...show more content...
However, in the Gemeinschaft they remain essentially united in spite of all separating factors, whereas in the Gesellschaft they are essentially separated in spite of all uniting factors. (Tonnies, 1957, p. 50).
Gesellschaft helps hide the dormant cells of individuality that rots any vibrant community. Responsibility to others becomes irrelevant and a useless logo in the familiar diction of independence. Lone wolves in the wild hardly ever survive, yet, they will take advantage of the resources of their habitat for as long as they can, even devouring the carcass of their own kind. So is the case of self–preserving individuals who will bankrupt the wealth of the community with constant withdrawals from those committed to the survival of the group without ever making any meaningful deposits.
The sharing of information has to be the most vital entity, outside of unity, in a community. Common interests are supported, carried, and guarded by those participants of a neighborhood or group. Alderman Edward M. Burke of the 14th Ward of Chicago has been alderman since 1969 after his father's death in May 1968. The "Back of the Yards" community has continually supported him for over 30 years. In return the community has received additional funding for education, land grants, public parks renovations, and millions of dollars poured into their ward. It has been in the community's best and most common
Introduction
The locality I have based my community profile on is Ardoyne. I feel that Ardoyne is familiar enough for me to carry out my research as I have lived here all my life. Although my project is based in Belfast city centre, we work with many groups and young people from the Ardoyne area. this would prove beneficial to myself as I would sometimes have already developed a relationship with the young people through community life.
I will firstly explore the community I have chosen by speaking to local people, using photographs, and recordings of my observations. In doing so I intend to create a picture and overall feeling of the community as well as the people who live here. This data will be accompanied by my own comments in...show more content...
For a community that witnesses a lot of conflict during each year Ardoyne is full of people who love to chat and help out whatever why they can. The older generation in particular take pride in their 'what's mine is yours' attitude. While taking this picture an old lady quietly asked me if I was a tourist. I replied laughing telling her no. she went on to tell me that she walked her granddaughter to school through the protesters each morning while it lasted. In that time she had to endure spitting and urine filled balloons being hurled at her by the protesters. She also talked about the day a pipe bomb was thrown at the parents and children of the school. She said she 'wouldn't wish it on anyone' as she slowly walked off. I couldn't help thinking what a bizarre experience just chatting with the old lady, who was completely open to sharing her experience with me.
Improving a specific aspect of community life
The aspect of community life I have chosen to explore is the 'drinking culture' within Ardoyne. In the small area that is Ardoyne there are eight pubs, five of which being night clubs. I feel that this environment is contributing to the many issues facing the community of Ardoyne.
There were a total of 547 offences
A community is established when more than two people share the same values and through time this personal connection evolves into a fellowship governed by rituals, traditions, and a particular form of communication that when taken together makes a group of individuals whether living in a specific geographical area or connected by ideals so distinct that their distinguishing marks allow them to stand out from among the crowd. They do not just believe in something like an organization but they need each other to survive and thrive. A good example is the Old Order Amish Mennonite community wherein the community serves as source of identity, strength and provides the reason why they should sustain the community's way of life. It...show more content...
Communities are affected, and in a sense defined by, forces that affect community members and their space. The forces can range from outside organizations such as the government and large corporations ... These components of the community vary infinitely, and thus no two communities are the same; even a given community is not the same over time (Cnaan & Milofsky, p. 1)
Based on this definition it is interesting to note that the Old Order Amish Mennoite community satisfies the requirements of place, interests and communion. Aside from being a perfect example of a community the Amish people exemplify what it means to be a part of a community that it is their source of identity, strength, and sustainability. Each individual exists for the community but as a whole the community nurtures each member and therefore it is unthinkable for an Amish man or woman to leave their community behind. On the other hand many Americans feel they must "get involved." In public life as well as in private, we can discern the habits that sustain individualism and commitment as well as what makes them problematic. (Bellah, p.74) For the Amish Mennonite community the purpose of the community is very clear. First, it provides them a sense of identity, not only who they are as of the present but also helps them to trace their origins and the reason for their
Get more content
What do you think about your neighbours? How do you feel about your schools? What do you think about your community? Community has always been a big part of our lives and it has been here since the day we were born. We might even live on the same street, but we grow up in different households and this results in many different views on communities. The many definitions of our community may include our home, our heritage, and even our religion. First, community is our "home." We have been living in a community ever since we were just little babies and it has always influenced us. Communities have played a big part in who we are today. We start off in school not knowing anyone or anything and as you get older you begin to think about the...show more content...
They go back to our ancestors that have originated our last names. There is background for almost every last name in your community and that is the great thing about it. Long after you are deceased, you will be remembered for the great things you have done. You will not just be remembered for yourself, but for the things that you have accomplished in your community as well. You will always be recognized and remembered for the things that you chose to do in your community. Community is a big part of you and everything you do will be associated with it. Third, Community is your religion. The day you begin to realize what community means to you is the day you begin to believe in it. Anywhere you go, it will be an instinct for you to represent your community, whether it be through sports or just leisure travels. You represent what means most to you and will always defend it the best you can. Community is not an actual religion, but it is a personal religion. The best way to define a community will never be clear. You have your own feelings on communities and our thoughts on it will always be different from everyone else's. Everyone has a different perspective on communities, it is endless. All of the definitions relate to what I think about a community. Community to me means "home". A community is where I have grown up and learned important life lessons. The things that matter most to me in my community are my family, my Get more content
Community
When community comes to mind, it reminds me of my own residence of living which encompasses the people, the parks, the REC centers and so on. But if the deeper meaning of community is searched, it seems to be more specific than just theses things.
For example, there are communities that separate themselves from the rest of society and are distinguished by certain characteristics of mannerisms. Some of these groups could be considered cults, certain ethnic groups, religious groups or even the "class" that one belongs to. A college could even be considered as a form of community from a certain aspect. These are the things that separate us as...show more content... Another example is religion. Religion in itself is considered a community simply because of the fact that people congregate together with a certain belief system and they practice or show that belief through religion. Each religious group has activities, picnics, bake sales, etc., and do these things to either draw others into their community or to simply enjoy themselves in an area where they feel comfortable being with others of similar feelings or thoughts. Either way, some people feel a need to be involved with a religious community group in the same way that others like to be involved in a gambling group. It's the way that it makes people feel and how they can express themselves or feel comfortable within that community setting.
There are other communities that are also easy to distinguish from each other and that is the upper, middle, and lower classes. The community settings for these people can be very diverse when it comes to material settings or belongings, but the sense of community is still similar to others. It is stated well in Daniel Kemmis's " How
Get more content
