Defining Culture and Society

Let's begin by defining our key terms:

· Culture is the symbols, language, beliefs, values, and artifacts that characterize any society. It's the shared fabric that binds individuals together, guiding behaviors and shaping identities.

· Society is refers to a group of people who live in a defined territory and share a culture. It's the structured system within which cultural norms and values are practiced and maintained.

Without culture, we could not have a society. The profound impact of culture becomes most evident when we examine behaviors or conditions that are normally considered biological in nature.

For instance, consider morning sickness and labor pains, both familiar to pregnant women. These discomforts have known biological causes, and we are not surprised that so many pregnant women experience them.

But we would be surprised if the husbands of pregnant women woke up sick in the morning during their wives’ pregnancies or experienced severe abdominal pains while their wives gave birth.

The Dynamic Nature of Culture

Culture is not static; it evolves over time. This evolution can be influenced by various factors:

· Technological Advancements: New technologies can alter how we communicate, work, and interact, leading to shifts in cultural practices.

·

· Globalization: The interconnectedness of the world facilitates the exchange of cultural ideas, leading to both the blending and clashing of cultural norms.

·

·