When thinking of how we build worlds through communication, it seems to be dominant in our culture to associate through appearance. Certain groups of people feel more comfortable associating and communicating if they feel they relate to eachother through their similarities. Through school there always seemed to be very obvious groups which formed. Style and appearance can be a way to identify with others. Usually individuals will communicate with others that share likes and dislikes, it could be music, clothing, or hobbies which allow them to build worlds of communication. Our culture varies greatly from others, since we have so much freedom in our culture to say what we want and be who we desire to be.
I have found that other cultures have certain expectations and roles which control their communication patterns. The Social Constructionist perspective is a good way to identify cultural tools which assist in creating "collective representations of reality" (Trenholm, 30). India has cultural traditions and roles which are so different to the United States. My previous boss was from India and he shared with me certain traditions which seemed strange to me, but were custom and accepted in his culture. The oldest female in the family is considered the head individual in decisions regarding marriage of the younger family members. She is responsible for picking mates and arranging the marriages. The oldest male of the family is then the individual who will escort the bride to be married. That seems very strange to me since it is custom in our culture for the father of the bride to have that honor. While the oldest female is like the all powerful family member, other females are not allowed to speak in the presence of men if not requested to, plus they are not allowed to participate in important family discussions. The oldest male in the family is always involved in any portion of the families problems, issues, and plans. It seems very mixed to me, but this is the world that they have created through their social customs and communication.
Hi LisaDesigning! How are you?!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. After reading your first paragraph my head kept telling me to "post to her blog and share with her to check out Beverly Tatum's _Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?_" Your statement about "associat[tion] through appearance" reminded me about assimilation not only with like clothing/style, but with perceived race/ethnicity and who is "in" group and who is "out" group and the dynamic created in those spaces around racism and difference. Tatum believes, in her book, this is a means for students' to process and define their racial identity as well as their "place in the world." I think you'd enjoy this book and the conversation around "freedom to be."
(: gunnerisfunner
Hi Gunnerisfunner! I'm doing so much better now that I am off of work. I am such a workaholic, I just finally read your comment! I did a search and that book definately sounds interesting. I have always found the way groups segregate with each other is an interesting concept. Who makes them feel secure in their surroundings, whether its race or clothing or tattoos/piercings that determines who their friends and associates are. It seems no one is ever really "in" or "out", we are all just trying to feel comfortable being who we are!
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