Understanding Real Culture: Its Definition from a Sociological Perspective

Understanding Real Culture: Its Definition from a Sociological Perspective

Culture represents the way of life of a particular group of people. It comprises a shared set of values, beliefs, customs, traditions and practices that define how they see the world and live their lives. While every culture is unique, understanding real culture can help us better appreciate the differences and similarities between various groups of people. In this article, we will define real culture from a sociological perspective and provide a deeper insight into the concept.

What is Real Culture?

Sociologists describe real culture as the actual behaviour and practices of people in society, as opposed to ideal or cultural norms. Real culture represents the day-to-day activities and practices of people that shape their lives and ultimately define their culture. For instance, while the ideal culture of most societies promotes honesty, fairness, and equality, real culture may have different values and behaviours. This concept of culture shows that the actual behaviour and practices of people are more important than the theoretical or idealistic values that are transmitted through official channels of communication, such as education, media or religion.

Characteristics of Real Culture

Real culture is characterised by several attributes that define it from the perspective of sociology. These include:

1. Diversity: Real culture reflects the diversity of people within a particular society. It comprises different values, beliefs, customs and traditions that vary from one group to another.

2. Continuity: Real culture is a continuous process that evolves over time. It is based on various social, political, economic and historical factors that shape people’s lives.

3. Complexity: Real culture is complex and multi-layered. It comprises various dimensions such as language, art, music, religion, politics, economics and social structures.

4. Resistance to change: Real culture is often resistant to change. People may be reluctant to adopt new values and practices that conflict with their traditional beliefs and customs.

Examples of Real Culture

To gain a better understanding of real culture, let’s take a look at some examples from different societies:

1. Food habits: Different cultures have unique food habits that reflect their tastes, preferences, and customs. For instance, in India, most Hindus avoid consuming beef due to religious beliefs, but in western countries, beef is widely consumed.

2. Dressing: Clothing is a crucial aspect of cultural identity. In most African societies, people wear traditional clothes that represent their culture and heritage. In contrast, western societies tend to embrace modern fashion trends.

3. Religious practices: Religion plays a vital role in shaping people’s beliefs and practices. For example, people in the Middle East observe strict religious practices that govern their social interactions, while in the West, religion is less influential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, real culture defines the actual behaviour and practices of people that shape their lives and ultimately define their culture. While ideal culture promotes theoretical values and norms, real culture reflects the diversity, continuity, complexity and resistance to change of different societies. By understanding real culture, we can better appreciate the differences and similarities between various groups of people, which helps us to create a more inclusive and respectful society.

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