Ethnocentrism Versus Cultural Relativism in American Scenario

Ethnocentrism is a complex and multifaceted subject. It occurs when a person believes they are inherently superior to another person, when in reality they are both humans, which means no one is inherently better than anyone else. This belief fosters a hostile environment in our country because many people believe they are entitled to certain privileges or actions because they perceive themselves as "better" than the person next to them. In truth, we are all equal, or at least we should strive for equality. For example, if someone is walking down the street and they see a homeless person, the first thought that often comes to mind is that the homeless person is disgusting. Rarely do people think to approach them and ask if they need help or want to get food. This is an example of ethnocentrism because the individual assumes superiority over the homeless person. In reality, they both possess equal rights in this world.

Cultural Relativism: Embracing Diversity

Cultural relativism, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. It is the belief that everyone should accept and respect every culture, regardless of whether they share the same beliefs. People should embrace cultural differences because everyone is unique. Not everyone is going to believe in the existence of ghosts, but that shouldn’t lead to differential treatment. Cultural relativism represents the positive aspects of our world. It allows everyone to be accepted and feel comfortable believing in their own values, which should be encouraged. If cultural relativism did not exist, our world would be a frightening place, divided into isolated groups that never interact. How is that a way to live? It’s not.

Case Study: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism in Practice

In this context, ethnocentrism is evident in the way Americans perceived the actions of Vanya Kalensen and Nils Wardlaw. Many Americans believed that these parents were wrong because they would never consider leaving their child outside, implying that American parents saw themselves as superior to Danish parents. In the U.S., leaving a child outside is often viewed as child abuse, an action that is alarming to American sensibilities. American parents might believe that such parents should face legal consequences because it's something they would never do. However, these parents had their child taken away for doing something that is customary in their home country. This reflects ethnocentrism, as American parents deemed themselves superior and judged the Danish parents’ actions as wrong.

Conversely, the Danish parents might have thought they were doing something better by not exposing their child to the germs of a restaurant. Yet, this perspective is often overlooked because the default assumption is that the American viewpoint is correct, further illustrating ethnocentrism. Cultural relativism is also evident here. Vanya Kalensen and Nils Wardlaw were following a practice common in Denmark, where leaving babies outside is believed to be beneficial. However, in America, this same action is considered child abuse. Vanya and Nils anticipated that America would employ cultural relativism, accepting their practice even if it differed from local norms. They believed that people live their lives differently, and that this diversity should be respected. Unfortunately, they were not afforded this respect and were judged and penalized for an action that is normal in another culture. This reaction contradicts the principles of cultural relativism.

Personal Reflection: Family and Cultural Practices

Growing up in a Jewish American family, my parents treated my brother and me differently than many other children. My parents did not believe in physical punishment at all. I was never smacked, hit, or whipped. My mom did not endorse harsh punishment or abuse. If we did something wrong, we simply had privileges revoked, whether it was our phone or time with friends. She believed that harsh punishment would lead us to rebel and engage in even worse behavior. The most severe punishment we ever faced was having our phones taken away. When I share this with others, they often express disbelief, but it’s true. I am grateful for the way my parents raised me; it taught me that violence is never acceptable, regardless of the situation or the actions of others. This upbringing allowed me to learn from my mistakes without being diminished by them.

Food in our family was quite traditional in the American sense. My mother and I were quite selective about food, mostly sticking to Italian and Mexican cuisines, while avoiding seafood. In contrast, my brother and dad enjoyed trying new foods and ate a wide variety. Despite this, we didn’t often explore new foods and mainly consumed steak, chicken, and burgers. Although we didn’t frequently branch out, there were occasions when we stepped out of our comfort zone.

Religious Practices and Cultural Identity

In terms of religion, I grew up in a Jewish family. However, we weren’t very religious; we never attended temple except for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. My parents believed in celebrating Jewish holidays, but not to their fullest extent, and I was comfortable with that. I learned the basics of my Jewish faith by attending a Jewish preschool, which introduced me to the religion in a manageable way. Later, I had to decide whether I wanted a Bat Mitzvah. My brother had one because my dad wanted him to, but neither of us felt a strong personal need for it. Ultimately, I chose to forgo the Bat Mitzvah. Although I may not be considered a “true” Jewish woman, I still celebrate the holidays and identify as Jewish. This approach allows me more freedom and lets our family celebrate holidays in a more enjoyable manner, as it isn’t as serious as it could be.

References

1. Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books.
2. Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations. SAGE Publications.
3. LeVine, R. A., & Campbell, D. T. (1972). Ethnocentrism: Theories of Conflict, Ethnic Attitudes, and Group Behavior. Wiley.
4. Nanda, S., & Warms, R. L. (2010). Cultural Anthropology. Cengage Learning.
5. Rosaldo, R. (1989). Culture and Truth: The Remaking of Social Analysis. Beacon Press.
6. Shweder, R. A. (1991). Thinking Through Cultures: Expeditions in Cultural Psychology. Harvard University Press.