Acculturation and Cultural Identity Are Essay

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Hall & Ramirez (1993) define cultural identity as the "set of behaviors, beliefs, values, and norms defined by the ethnic group(s) to which we belong and develop through the process of growing up" (p. 613). The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) identify the accumulated knowledge, unique skills, and unique values as markers of cultural identity (2009). Generally, cultural identity can be conceived of as the group of which an individual calls herself a part. With this label come specific traditions, languages, food, clothing, grooming habits, music, and other cultural markers.

In contrast to this relatively stable notion of cultural identity, Fierlbeck (1996) argues that culture is ever-changing, "continually fluctuating and metamorphosing" (p. 12). She also states that cultures are constantly 'bumping into' eachother, overlapping and shifting (Fierlbeck, 1996). In short, Fierlbeck (1996) argues against the usefulness of the term "cultural identity," positing that identies are just as influenced by culture as by "qualities and quirks that have nothing to do with culture" (i.e. physical traits, sexuality) (p. 14).

Cultural identity is affected by an array of forces. Soedjatmoko (1976) argues that modern communications (read: mass media) shapes and influences cultures and thus cultural identities. Immigration and biculturalism also shape cultural identities.

A review of the literature on cultural identity shows the concept is politically loaded. UNESCO suggests that states have the responsibility to respect the cultural identities of minority groups and prevent them from being socially excluded from the cultural life of the community (2009). Fierblek (1996) contends that the concept of cultural identity requires, at times, treating one group different from another. Take, for example, certain Middle Eastern countries' cultural practice of disallowing women from showing their faces in public.

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While this is concieved by some as an infringement upon human rights, to respect this cultural identity would be to allow this cultural behavior to survive. Thus, the concept of cultural identity can be confounding when applied to political treatment of immigrants. Moreover, it can present a human rights dilemma: is it more ethical to allow a culture to retain its traditions or to enforce 'universal human rights'? Further, this dilemma points to an even deeper issue: is the Western notion of universal human rights not universal? Does the Western notion of universal human rights fail to understand cultural differences?

In both the 'negative' and 'positive' concepts of cultural identity, its potential to bring to light cultural differences is part of the definition itself. It almost goes without saying that were it not for cultural identity, cultural differences would not exist. Cultural differences can be understood simply by recognizing comparing the aspects of two different cultural identities. In other words, cultural differences are brought to light in acculturative contexts, or situations where there is notable cultural contrast. Acculturative contexts highlight cultural differences, thus 'forcing' the individual to either understand or reject them.

Despite the definitional and political controversy surrounding acculturation and cultural identity, these terms are both valuable concepts in our understanding of cultural differences. Acculturation, by placing a 'foriegn' culture within a host culture, brings to the forefont our individual cultural identities, which are composed of a set of values, beliefs, and behaviors. Subsequently, cultural identities, when contrasted, can be used to further understand our cultures' differences......

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