Emphasising the diverse and distinct cultural values of various nations around the globe, Thomas Balmes’ documentary, Babies, juxtaposes the early development of individuals against the influences and ideologies imparted by the society. Centered around four young infants- Ponijao of Opuwo, Namibia, Bayarjargal (Baya) of Bayanchandmani, Mongolia, Mari of Tokyo, Japan, and Hattie of San Francisco, America -in contrasting civilizations, the documentary records not only the psychological growth, however, equally the sociological interactions of the featured young individuals. Alongside illustrating various norms, values, beliefs and practises, the documentary not only captures the role of technological development in the global world, but also
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Explicating effective instances of cultural universal besides norms, Balmes’ 2010 movie, Babies, through the conflict perspective analyses the cultural differences between the cultures of Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and the United States of America. While the communities are geographically and demographically independent, they are equally different in terms of traditions, customs and values. Nevertheless, the inherent elements of human survival and necessities are constant throughout the societies in form of cultural universals. An element, pattern, trait, or institution common throughout human civilizations, cultural universals can include government, marriage, music, language, religious rituals, family, food, shelter, play etc. Explored through the conception of family, shelter, food and play, the documentary evidently ignites this aforementioned idea of cultural universals. Although the families of United States or Japan might contrast with …show more content…
Defined as norms that cover customary ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, folkways lack moral significance or overtones. On the most primary level, the practise of breastfeeding reflects a crucial folkway. While breastfeeding in public resides as a conventional practise among the Namibian population, the American and Japanese society, on the contrary, associates strong stigma with the same practise. Representing the prevailing attitude of the respective societies, the provided practises lack moral connotation. Moreover, the independency and self-upbringing among the Mongolian society reflects another strong folkway. Encouraging the babies to take care of themselves, Mongolian society’s folkway mirror strong ideas of self-subsistence and autonomy, rather than strong moral components. Nevertheless, the moral components of a society are often paralleled in the mores. Essential or characteristic customs and conventions of community, Mores are norms that have moral dimensions and that should be followed by members of the respective society. For instance, norms against violence- as represented through Hattie’s case of slapping her mother -remain one of the strongest mores in a society. Often sanctioned through laws and punishment (or informal sanctions at a young
Explicating effective instances of cultural universal besides norms, Balmes’ 2010 movie, Babies, through the conflict perspective analyses the cultural differences between the cultures of Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and the United States of America. While the communities are geographically and demographically independent, they are equally different in terms of traditions, customs and values. Nevertheless, the inherent elements of human survival and necessities are constant throughout the societies in form of cultural universals. An element, pattern, trait, or institution common throughout human civilizations, cultural universals can include government, marriage, music, language, religious rituals, family, food, shelter, play etc. Explored through the conception of family, shelter, food and play, the documentary evidently ignites this aforementioned idea of cultural universals. Although the families of United States or Japan might contrast with …show more content…
Defined as norms that cover customary ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, folkways lack moral significance or overtones. On the most primary level, the practise of breastfeeding reflects a crucial folkway. While breastfeeding in public resides as a conventional practise among the Namibian population, the American and Japanese society, on the contrary, associates strong stigma with the same practise. Representing the prevailing attitude of the respective societies, the provided practises lack moral connotation. Moreover, the independency and self-upbringing among the Mongolian society reflects another strong folkway. Encouraging the babies to take care of themselves, Mongolian society’s folkway mirror strong ideas of self-subsistence and autonomy, rather than strong moral components. Nevertheless, the moral components of a society are often paralleled in the mores. Essential or characteristic customs and conventions of community, Mores are norms that have moral dimensions and that should be followed by members of the respective society. For instance, norms against violence- as represented through Hattie’s case of slapping her mother -remain one of the strongest mores in a society. Often sanctioned through laws and punishment (or informal sanctions at a young