"CULTURE IS A SHAMELESS DONKEY"
FRACTURED FAMILY
In conclusion, cultural reforms are paramount to ensure equity, fairness, and justice. Culture should never be used as a smokescreen to shirk responsibility, nor as an "open sesame " for those seeking to subvert justice. Dying wishes and legacies deserve respect above cultural expediency. The hypocrisy of culture must be corrected.
"CULTURE IS A SHAMELESS
DONKEY"
CULTURE IS A SHAMELESS DONKEY
Edward Burnett Tylor defined culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society".
From the foregoing, it is very clear that culture is an integral aspect of our entire existence- the fabric of our society. It permeates every nook and cranny of our lives. It forms the bedrock of human society. It is our folklore, music, mode of dressing, foods, religion, education, architecture, marriage. It is also a significant source of common laws. It has a tremendous impact on family dynamics.
Furthermore, one culture relates to another-this is known as cultural relativity. It also differs from another- this is cultural variance. There is also acculturation, the assimilation of a strange culture into one's own or cultural fusion. Moreover, a deviation from mainstream culture creates another culture, a sub-culture. When this sub-culture conflicts with generally accepted standards, it becomes iconoclastic or non-conformist with established norms, mores, conventions, or beliefs.
The significant role of culture in family dynamics cannot be downplayed. Culture shapes and influences personal or interpersonal relationships, both within and beyond the family. This impact may be positive or negative, functional or dysfunctional, depending on the factors such as personal experiences, family background, social status, and age.
What is more, culture, in many cases, has been proven unfair, biased, and unjust in how its dictates shape familial and societal matters. For instance, there is an Igbo proverb that says, "Onye aka ruru ya lie na o bughi nwa okpara gburu" (literally, "Whoever can bury should; it is not the first son who committed the murder"). Figuratively, this means whoever is capable of shouldering responsibility in the family should do so, if the first son is financially embarrassed. Yet this same adage, while discriminatingly favoring the first son against others, does not deny him his rights in the scheme of things- even if others rescue him from his financial predicament.
Moreover, cultural dictates have often been invoked to subvert truth and justice. Chief Orisa, for instance, cited culture as the only surviving male child to override his mother's dying wishes about her burial. Similarly, the principal grandson referenced culture to betray the matriarch's burial request,calling her wishes "allegations" rather than facts. He even branded those who wanted her wishes honored troublemakers. The same grandson, who abandoned his terminally ill mother, only to reappear after her death and crowned himself chief mourner, was elevated by culture rather than censured. Such lopsided dictates reward negligence and betrayal instead of condemning them.
From the foregoing, it is very clear that culture is an integral aspect of our entire existence- the fabric of our society. It permeates every nook and cranny of our lives. It forms the bedrock of human society. It is our folklore, music, mode of dressing, foods, religion, education, architecture, marriage. It is also a significant source of common laws. It has a tremendous impact on family dynamics.
Furthermore, one culture relates to another-this is known as cultural relativity. It also differs from another- this is cultural variance. There is also acculturation, the assimilation of a strange culture into one's own or cultural fusion. Moreover, a deviation from mainstream culture creates another culture, a sub-culture. When this sub-culture conflicts with generally accepted standards, it becomes iconoclastic or non-conformist with established norms, mores, conventions, or beliefs.
The significant role of culture in family dynamics cannot be downplayed. Culture shapes and influences personal or interpersonal relationships, both within and beyond the family. This impact may be positive or negative, functional or dysfunctional, depending on the factors such as personal experiences, family background, social status, and age.
What is more, culture, in many cases, has been proven unfair, biased, and unjust in how its dictates shape familial and societal matters. For instance, there is an Igbo proverb that says, "Onye aka ruru ya lie na o bughi nwa okpara gburu" (literally, "Whoever can bury should; it is not the first son who committed the murder"). Figuratively, this means whoever is capable of shouldering responsibility in the family should do so, if the first son is financially embarrassed. Yet this same adage, while discriminatingly favoring the first son against others, does not deny him his rights in the scheme of things- even if others rescue him from his financial predicament.
Moreover, cultural dictates have often been invoked to subvert truth and justice. Chief Orisa, for instance, cited culture as the only surviving male child to override his mother's dying wishes about her burial. Similarly, the principal grandson referenced culture to betray the matriarch's burial request,calling her wishes "allegations" rather than facts. He even branded those who wanted her wishes honored troublemakers. The same grandson, who abandoned his terminally ill mother, only to reappear after her death and crowned himself chief mourner, was elevated by culture rather than censured. Such lopsided dictates reward negligence and betrayal instead of condemning them.
Thus, culture, in such instance, is a shameless donkey. To correct this anomaly, cultural hangovers must be expunged. Outdated dictates should be discarded. Culture, as one of the sources of common law, must treat all mankind with equity, fairness, and justice.
In conclusion, cultural reforms are paramount to ensure equity, fairness, and justice. Culture should never be used as a smokescreen to shirk responsibility, nor as an "open sesame " for those seeking to subvert justice. Dying wishes and legacies deserve respect above cultural expediency. The hypocrisy of culture must be corrected.
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