Questions and Answers on My Definition of Culture and Its Aspects - Paper Example

1. What is your definition of culture?

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Culture is a system of life of a group of people. This including their beliefs, behaviors, values and also symbols, which are usually passed along via communication and imitation from one generation to another. Culture is also a summation of the learned behavior of the people that are considered the tradition of that people. The national symbol of Yugoslavia is a double-headed white eagle, an animal that is considered the king of the animals. The Yugoslavian people identify primarily with their regions. The Balkan Peninsula has a variety of ethnicities. With most of the people being of Slavic origin, their histories diverge under the different influences of the governments, religions, and cultures. Yugoslavia has one of the worlds major Gypsy inhabitants, who get treated with some intolerance. Specifically, in the 1980s, there was a movement among Yugoslav Gypsies for separate nationhood, but they all eventually lost stream.

2. How do you define family?

A typical Yugoslavian family has a patriarchal structure and often large with the extended family being part of everyday life. Members of a family live as a unit and always help each other, especially if one member has a problem. Children in a family usually respect and help their elders in the day to day activities. Family care homes are usually not familiar in Yugoslavia as there are significant first-family values.

3. Who holds the most status in the family and why?

Traditionally, Yugoslavian women perform only work that is domestic. This cultural norm started when men were away fighting, and the women had to fend themselves. Under the communism, however, women began to undertake other types of jobs in large numbers. The percentage of women who work outside their homes varies widely from one region to another. Most women take part in cultural and social welfare, public service and administration, trade and catering. Moreover, most of the elementary school teachers are females. Despite them working outside their homes, they are still expected to cook, clean, and take care of other domestic chores. It is customary in every Yugoslavian family for several generations to live together under the same roof.

Yugoslavian culture is by tradition male-dominated. Men are well-thought-out to be the head of the household as they are the familys providers. Men work outside their homes, whether professionally or not. Even with women having gained significant economic power over the years, patriarchal system is still evident of their lower social class. Male dominance is also apparent when it comes to inheritance customs, whereby the firstborn son inherits the familys property.

4. How do you define success?

Afore the World War II, the base of the society was the peasants, with a small upper class made up of government workers, merchants, professionals, and artisans. After the introduction of communism, education and rapid industrialization offered more channels for the development of the Yugoslavian people. The fall of Titos bad governance and the rise of the free-market economy enabled the people of Yugoslavia to better their status through entrepreneurship. It is the success of the Yugoslavian general public.

5. Do you think your parents are successful?

I can consider my parents as successful as they have managed to adapt the entrepreneurial culture and therefore provided for our family.

6. How important is the education in your family?Education in Yugoslavia is usually free and compulsory between ages seven and fourteen. Primary school goes for eight years, after which an individual chooses the field they will major in Secondary level. There are also Higher learning institutions in which people study and qualify for their careers. Education is of much importance to the families as they enable an individual to gain skills relevant to different jobs as well as gaining knowledge for solving their daily encounters.

7. Is punctuality important to you? Why or Why not?

Punctuality is valued by the Yugoslavians as it shows some form of respect. When a person is invited to a place or attends a meeting, they are expected to show up on time. The seniors anticipate punctuality, as it portrays respect and discipline to them.

8. What is the most important meal of the day?

The staple diet in Yugoslavia includes bread, meat, fruits, vegetables, and other dairy products. Lunch is the main meal of the day usually taken at about three oclock in the afternoon. There is then a light supper at around 8:00 pm. Also, peppers are a common constituent in most meals.

9. Have you ever live with your grandparents or extended family?

It is customary for some generations to live together in the same house. We often live together in a compound of several houses enclosed by a stone wall. I used to live with my cousins, uncles, aunts and other family members, if not in the same house, and then it would be near each other. It brought us together and also encourages a sense of belonging and ownership.

10. Do you participate in an organized religion?

I attend the Orthodox Church where we hold religious ceremonies. I also celebrate Christmas holiday in the church when we gather as followers and enjoy carols. Every family unit has a patron saint, who is respected yearly in a large celebration we call Krsna Slava. We lite a candle in honor, and prepare special foods. A priest also comes to my home and blesses it with holy water and incense. My family stands around the food together with the priest and sing a specific song.