Culture Influence On Native American Culture

The cultural views and expectations of a society influence how its people will feel, think, and act and plays a role in interests, perspectives, social conduct, and other aspects of social life. The understanding that the things recognized as characteristics of a social group being created by culture is cultural construction. A universal cultural construct is that of gender, which is often seen as fundamental for the organizing and assigning of roles to individuals. The social dynamics of a group are structured by the cultural normatives, division of categories, conception of the world, and other ideologies that affect how a group conceptualizes gender. What a person is allowed to become -- and who they ultimately become -- is largely dependent upon their assignment as a male, female, or an alternative gender. The degree of importance placed on gender is different across cultures in different ways. The Native American practice of Two Spirits demonstrates how significantly the cultural norms …show more content…
They are responsible for all the wealth in the country. If there were no more left, the horses, sheep, and Navaho would all go. They are leaders just like president Roosevelt (quoted in Peoples and Bailey 245).
Though this is likely an exaggeration, the elder’s statement demonstrates how the Navaho value those with two-spirits and the contributions they have made to their culture. Two Spirits is an ancient Native American belief still considered an important part of their culture but rarely seen today. This belief is still held by many people but infrequently acted on. That Two Spirits was once far more widespread, accepted, and practice but has now nearly vanished as a cultural normative shows that one societies norms can be quickly altered by the influence of outside