Zufishan Haque: ANT1 answer copy

Reasons for cultural shock (i) No one comes from cultural vaccum (ii) Culture shows diversity depending upon ecology and environment.

Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism approach can reduce cultural shock. It means understanding cultural practices as per it's own standards rather than comparing it with other cultures. Proponents :- Franz Boas.

Anthropology and it's fieldwork tradition can help reduce cultural shock.

Culture is universal among humans. Culture is the adaptations of humans to the environment and thus exhibits diversity. This gives rise to Pluralism and Multiculturalism.

Pluralism

1. Diverse culture exists simultaneously.
2. Exchanges between different cultures is minimum.
3. Different cultures show less change with time.
4. Friction between different cultures can take place as culture of minority may not receive due attention.

Multiculturalism

1. Multiple cultures exist in such a way that there is amalgation of cultures.
2. Each culture adopts practices from other and thus change in culture is observed.
3. Common platform through various multicultural institutions to reduce friction between different communities.

Eg: India is a multicultural country as Indian culture draws practices from Hinduism, Buddhism and other religion as well as from tribal societies.

Division of labour means that individuals are assigned responsibilities and work as per certain social norms.

Division of labour in a family

1. In a hunting-gathering society, in a family the male members go for hunting and female members collect forest products. Eg. Chenchus in South India.
2. In an agricultural society men of a family work in fields while women may be employed in weeding and winnowing activities. Eg. Santhals in Cholanagpur region.

Division of labour in society It is a feature of a stratified society. (1) In a caste based society division of labour is as per ascribed status.

(2) In a class based society division of labour is as per relation to mode of production.

The functionalist approach says that division of labour maintains the functioning of society. Every individual performs his job and specializes in one particular domain. This also ensures members of society remain dependent on each other.

John Lewis defined kinship as the social recognition and expression of actual and supposed genealogical ties. Max Weber defines power as the ability to enforce one's will to bring change in a person's behaviour.

Kinship and Power Members of a kingroup can exercise power to enforce their will on others. Power due to domination. Parents and grandparents of an individual can dominate due to their position. Power due to manipulation. Kin members through gossip, ridicule and fear of withdrawing support can manipulate another kin member and bring change in behaviour.

Eg. Kin member can place positive rules of marriage that is ensure preferential marriage.

Political power Kinship provides for kinship links establish descent groups. The descent group may have an ancestral head who can wield power and influence.

Eg. In Nuer society, the leopard skin chief is an ancestral head of a lineage. He has power to provide solutions in case of dispute.

Hunting - gathering is one of the most primitive economy of the world. In India, tribes engaged in hunting-gathering are:

Problems of Hunters-gatherers

1. Subsistence economy

• no surplus, frequent food shortages.

1. Encroachment

• Hunters-gatherers live in forests which are being encroached by non-forest dwellers. Eg. Chenchus living in Agency tracts of Andhra Pradesh are facing competing from Lambadas who have shifted recently to these areas. (3) Forced displacement
• Construction, infrastructure leads to displacement. (4) Poor health, extinction
• Hunter-gatherers live in small bands.
• Poor health (anaemia, diarrhoea) and contact with outer world makes them causes sexual diseases.