Ethnocentrism And Ethnocentrism

Introduction: Culture can be described as a group of people who share common values, a language, beliefs, societal norms and even behaviors and these things are all passed down from generation to generation. These values and ways of life vary from country to country or they can change even if they are just a few hundred miles apart. Generally, our culture is implanted into us and cannot be escaped (Johansen-Wilczewski, 2016). Culture guides us through our daily lives with symbols and common laws, allowing us to function with ease. There are thousands of culture groups in our world including, gender, race, religion or even what school one attends. I can be found in the religious group as a christian. Religion is a huge culture group because it has a significant impact on daily life and implements rituals that are all part of culture. Another culture group I belong to is living in …show more content…
This can be described as, “The practice of evaluating another culture according to the standard’s of one’s own culture” (Keirns, 2015, p. 68). Ethnocentrism is generally frowned upon because it is a negative reaction to another culture. I have been ethnocentric myself before towards atheists. Any time someone told me they did not believe in god I automatically got defensive towards them. I would tell them they are wrong and asked if they had ever been church even. Looking back at it now I realize I had probably made them feel attacked or insecure. That was not my intention. I just automatically rejected their lifestyle and wanted them to convert to my religion. I think I am more of a cultural relativist now. I had came to an awareness of what I may seem to others. I do not full on reject other cultures so much anymore. I sometimes will even ask them questions and to explain what they are all about. It is actually way more interesting to hear what people are about rather than being rude and