High, Low, Pop, Sub, Counter-culture and Cultural Change

Culture SOCI 1306 High, Low, Pop, Sub, Counter-culture and Cultural Change Global cultural diversity is vast and complex, presenting itself in a multitude of ways that significantly influence people's experiences and perspectives. It is easy to see how varied cultural practices, values, and beliefs define the lives of individuals from other civilizations. Take, for example, the hypothetical comparison between a young lady from a small hamlet in Kenya, an Eastern African country, and a young woman from Mumbai, India, one of the world's most populous cities. These two people's viewpoints, daily habits, and general outlooks on life will probably be greatly influenced by the cultural contexts in which they are reared. In rural Kenya, community living and customs have a significant influence on how people identify and see the world. The young lady from this area may be raised in a close-knit community where everyday life revolves around agricultural activities, local languages, and cultural customs. She may have strong ties to the land and its customs, familial networks, and communal ideals that shape her perspective. A young lady from metropolitan Mumbai, on the other hand, would probably encounter a very different cultural context. Mumbai is known for its fast-paced way of life, diversified population, and fusion of contemporary and traditional elements. The young lady may be exposed to a wide range of cultural stimuli in this setting, including Bollywood films, modern art, cutting-edge technology, and international fashion trends. Mumbai's rich tapestry of cultural and religious variety, the drive to excel academically and professionally, and the metropolitan atmosphere would all influence her outlook. It is important to acknowledge that substantial internal variances exist within any given community. Sometimes, cultural variations inside one community can be just as noticeable as those between other societies, if not more so. The idea of cultural capital, as proposed by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, offers a framework for comprehending these internal variances. According to Bourdieu, cultural capital is made up of knowledge, non-material attitudes, and tangible possessions that are unique to a certain economic class. He distinguished between three main types of cultural capital: institutionalised, objectified, and embodied. Embodied cultural capital is the term used to describe intangible assets that people acquire over time via socialisation and education, such as tastes, abilities, and language patterns. Embodied cultural capital can take many forms, such as the regional dialect one speaks or the mannerisms one acquires. This might involve using regional languages and dialects or traditional storytelling methods in rural Kenya. On the other hand, the young Mumbaivian lady may have embodied cultural capital in the form of multilingualism, acquaintance with popular culture worldwide, and a taste for many cuisines. Property, artwork, and other material belongings are examples of physical assets that make up objectified cultural capital. These items have cultural value in addition to their financial value, which makes them valuable. This might refer to land ownership, livestock ownership, or handcrafted products that are a reflection of the local way of life in rural Kenya. On the other hand, objectified cultural capital in Mumbai may be things like fashionable clothes, expensive technology, or collections of art that denote status and money. Academic and professional credentials that provide legitimacy and social respect are linked to institutionalised cultural capital. In countries where prospects for social mobility and advancement are largely determined by formal education and certification, this kind of cultural capital is essential. The young lady in Mumbai could work hard to earn degrees from famous universities since these qualifications might boost her social status and open doors to profitable professional prospects. Formal education is equally important in rural Kenya, but there may be other paths to building institutionalised cultural capital there. For example, vocational training and practical skills that are applicable to the local economy may be given more weight. Cultural differences in the US are sometimes divided into three major categories: pop (popular) culture, low culture, and high culture. Fine arts, literature, and classical music are examples of cultural items and behaviours that are often associated with the upper class or elite. Conversely, low culture refers to the preferences and customs of the lower classes, such as street art, regional celebrations, and folk traditions. Pop culture, which is defined by mass-produced entertainment that appeals to a large audience, including television series, films, music, and fashion fads, is the most prevalent and easily accessible type of culture. Comprehending these cultural classifications aids in shedding light on the intricate mechanisms via which cultural capital functions in a community. In the United States, high culture might include things like going to operas, gathering rare books, or visiting art galleries —things that cost money and call for a certain degree of cultural literacies. Local culinary customs that have been passed down through the centuries, community get-togethers, and certain music genres can all be indicators of low culture. On the other hand, pop culture has a significant impact on many Americans' daily lives, impacting everything from language and dress to social views and purchasing habits. The complex relationship between these many types of cultural capital and the cultural categories that exist within a community emphasises how diverse cultural differences are. These distinctions are dynamic; they alter throughout time in response to shifts in societies and people's movements among various social and cultural contexts. Furthermore, because people with specific types of cultural capital may be able to access more social benefits and opportunities, cultural capital may be both an empowering and an excluding force. In summary, there are significant and complex cultural variations both between and within civilizations. From Mumbai's metropolitan landscapes to Kenya's rural communities, people negotiate their cultural settings in ways that influence their identities and life experiences. Understanding how these disparities appear and function within cultures is made possible by Bourdieu's idea of cultural capital, which emphasises the significance of material possessions, non-material attitudes, and institutionalised credentials. The division of American culture into pop, low, and high further emphasises the richness and diversity of cultural behaviours and tastes. We may appreciate the richness of human cultures and the variety of lifestyles, thought processes, and social interactions more fully when we comprehend these cultural dynamics.