Cultural Anthropology and Political Socialization Notes

Conceptual Foundations of Culture and Political Culture

• Definition of Culture: Culture is defined as a cluster or set of views, beliefs, and norms held by a group. It determines what is considered desirable, acceptable, masculine, feminine, good, or bad.

• Definition of Political Culture: This is a subset of the broader culture specifically pertaining to the proper and desirable relationship between citizens and the government, as well as the relationships of citizens to one another. It encompasses views on freedom, democracy, and how political institutions should function.

• Origin of Culture (Social Construction vs. Biology):

  • Biological Traits: These are inherited via DNA. For instance, eye color is a biological trait; an individual born to a mother with brown eyes will likely inherit brown eyes regardless of whether they are raised in Iran, Sweden, or Texas.
  • Socially Constructed Values: Cultural values are not biological. They are taught by society through various entities.
  • Agents of Socialization: These are the entities or institutions from which individuals learn their values and culture. Key agents include parents, friends, peer groups, and media (such as movies, television, and social media).

Cultural Divergence in Masculinity, Hygiene, and Physical Touch

• Shaving and Hygiene: Culture dictates norms regarding body grooming.

  • In American culture, masculinity is often associated with having armpit hair; a man shaving his armpits is frequently stigmatized or labeled as gay.
  • In other cultures, such as Iranian or Pakistani culture, shaving armpits is viewed as a matter of hygiene and cleanliness to reduce sweat, and has no bearing on sexual orientation.

• Physical Affection Between Men:

  • In some cultures, it is perfectly normal for male friends or fathers and sons to hold hands or put an arm around one another while walking in public.
  • In American culture, this behavior is often interpreted through a lens of sexual orientation, leading to social discomfort for those not accustomed to it.

• Contextual Norms in Sports: American culture permits specific physical contact in sports that would be unacceptable in other social settings.

  • In American football or basketball, players often "spank each other on the butt" to show camaraderie after a touchdown or successful play.
  • In many other cultures, such as the speaker's original culture, such an act would be considered an offense that warrants a physical retaliation (a punch) to demonstrate that the behavior was not enjoyed.

Regional Cultural Variations Within the United States

Cultural norms are not uniform across a single country but vary significantly by region.

• Driving Habits and Signaling:

  • In states like Illinois (specifically outside of Chicago), Kansas, or Missouri, when a driver signals a lane change, the cars behind them typically slow down to allow entry.
  • In Texas, signaling often prompts drivers in the adjacent lane to speed up to block the merging vehicle.

• Weapon Ownership and Hunting:

  • In rural Southeast Texas, such as the Huntsville area, gun ownership is extremely high. An example is provided of an $85$-year-old woman who owns eight or nine guns and received a gun for her birthday.
  • In regions like Southern California (San Diego, Temecula, Escondido), hunting deer or mountain lions is not a standard cultural practice, whereas it is common in Texas.

• Political Geography:

  • Urban areas such as Chicago, San Francisco, and New York City are identified as the most liberal regions in the country.
  • Rural areas in states like Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas tend to be more conservative.

The Gender Gap and Political Polarization

• Increasing Divergence: Since $1980$, a "gender gap" has existed in American politics, which refers to the difference in how men and women vote. This gap has recently widened to approximately $20\%$.

• Generational Trends:

  • Young Women: This demographic is becoming increasingly liberal.
  • Men: Across racial groups—including White, African American, and Hispanic men—this demographic is becoming increasingly conservative.

• Voting Statistics: In recent cycles, Donald Trump received significant support from various male demographics, whereas the liberal lean among women across these same racial backgrounds remained much stronger.

The Evolution and Fluidity of Cultural Norms

Culture is not permanent; it changes and evolves over time due to science, health knowledge, and media influence.

• The History of Tobacco Use:

  • Grandparents' Generation: Approximately $90\%$ of this generation smoked. They were influenced by aggressive advertising, such as the "Marlboro Man" (associating smoking with rugged masculinity) or "Slims" (associating smoking with female power/attraction).
  • Parents' Generation: Usage dropped to approximately $50\%$ as scientific evidence linked smoking to lung cancer, heart attacks, and strokes.
  • Current Generation: In a sample of over $100$ students, only about $4-5$ individuals smoked cigarettes ($4\%\text{ to }5\%$), marking a drastic cultural shift.
  • Manipulation by Companies: Tobacco companies historically targeted youth with cartoon characters like "Joe Camel." Today, e-cigarette companies use sophisticated social media tactics to manipulate newer generations into vaping.

• Social Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Individuals:

  • There has been a radical shift from the grandparents' generation (who often voiced negative views) to the current generation, where almost $100\%$ of students report having gay or lesbian friends and view the topic with general acceptance.

Global Standards of Beauty and Body Image

• Mauritania and Force-Feeding (Leblouh):

  • In Mauritania, fatness is culturally viewed as a sign of wealth, beauty, and sexual desirability.
  • Girls as young as $8$ to $11$ are subject to "force-feeding" during the rainy season to prepare them for early marriage ($25\%$ of girls in poor communities marry before age $15$).
  • Current practice involves consuming up to $9,000$ calories per day (e.g., camel's milk, porridge, and couscous). Breakfast alone can reach $3,000$ calories—the equivalent of $10$ cheeseburgers.
  • Health Risks: This cultural practice leads to long-term risks of heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes.

• Historical China: The culture formerly valued "small feet," leading to the practice of foot binding, where an infant's feet were wrapped in cloth to deform them and prevent growth because it was considered beautiful.

• Western Standards: Historically, American culture pushed for women to be thin. However, this has evolved in the last $5$ to $15$ years. Trends like the "BBL" (Brazilian Butt Lift) and the influence of figures like Kim Kardashian have shifted the focus toward larger body types in specific areas.

Statistical Correlation in Political Socialization

• Parental Influence: In the United States, there is a strong correlation—approximately $80\%$—between the political voting behavior of parents and their children.

• Classroom Data Samples:

  • Two Democratic Parents: In the observed sample, there was a $100\%$ correlation; children of two Democratic parents intended to vote Democratic.
  • Two Republican Parents: The correlation was approximately $80\%$.
  • Single-Parent Households:
    • If the single parent is a Democrat, the correlation remains high ($90\%\text{ to }100\%$).
    • If the single parent is a Republican, the correlation in the sample dropped to less than $50\%$.

Questions & Discussion

• Student Question on Vaping: A student inquired about how e-cigarette companies secretly manipulate youth.

  • Response: Companies use sophisticated methods to bypass regulations and reach youth through social media. Research into these "sneaky" tactics is suggested as a valuable area for academic publication.

• Discussion on Body Modification: Students noted the rise of the "BBL" trend in the last decade, contrasting it with mid-$20\text{th}$-century beauty standards.

• Interaction on Foot Fetishes: A student mentioned "feetfinder.com" as a modern subcultural phenomenon, illustrating how specific attractions or cultural niches are documented and monetized in the digital age.