When I think of culture, ethnic culture is what comes to mind first.
I live in an American culture, of course, and I do think that shapes some of my identity.
But I think there are other cultures, small and large, at play in my identity too. There’s a culture created anytime there’s a group, I think.
For instance, I grew up in a homeschooling culture and I’m still there now, except as a homeschooling mom.
I’ve been in the Christian culture my whole life.
In some senses, I think you could say that classical music culture has been a part of my life too, as a classically trained piano student and teacher.
I’m currently part of a blogging culture, a relatively new culture in the grand scheme of things.
I definitely am a part of a frugal living culture, where we all find it to be quite normal to look for discounts, buy reusable products, shop secondhand, DIY, and so on.
Interestingly, as I write this, I find myself wondering if most of us have inadvertently listed our top cultures in our online bios. ‘
Mine has often mentioned being a homeschooling mom, a Christian, a blogger, a money-saver, or a musician, and all of those are cultures I’m a part of.
Hmmm. This is a tricky one. I often find myself in internal conflict with what I guess you would call the “cultures” that I might identify with. For instance, some of my lifestyle choices would be considered part of a hippie culture (I guess?), but definitely not my moral or ideological choices. I am certainly part of a rural culture, but internally retain enough of my suburban upbringing to make that not an entirely comfortable fit, either. And also the hippie thing is not the same as a rural mindset.
My husband has similar conflicts with his background, interests, and current choices, but I suppose what we’ve done is create our own immediate family culture that works for us. Which I guess is what we all do in the end, right?
Interesting question…
Definitely American culture, but maybe a little more intense (patriotic) because I was raised in a military family. Nearly all my male relatives either served or are serving in the Air Force or Navy.
Also German culture. My grandfather grew up speaking German at home and English at school and work. We still have relatives in Germany. We do a lot of German cooking.
We’re suburban, but we tend toward rural in our outlook, with hunting, gardening, canning, quilting, knitting, etc.
Definitely Christian, traditionalist.
MUSIC! Classical, bluegrass, and 50s through 80s oldies. I sing in our church choir and play in the handbell choir, too.
You are right – multiple cultures!!!
Right? Once you start thinking about it, they really add up!
The American culture is something that I definitely identify with but so is being Irish. I feel my Irish roots so strongly, it is unbidden at times. I am part of the arts/theatre culture as I act and sing. I am a suburban mom so am part of that culture. I have a horse and a dog so I can hang with those folks. Finally, but most importantly, I’m a Christian. I guess there isn’t much that I consider myself to be a part of that I am odds with. I am very lucky.
What a great prompt! I have thought about this for the last half hour or so because my thoughts on culture are confusing. I’m part of the military culture, my family moves often. I have lived in 5 different regions of the United States (visited many more) and have decided that “American culture” is a generalization, as each region is surprisingly unique. I fit in well with 2 of the regional cultures I experienced, and claim those cultures over the one in which I currently live. I’m also part of the Christian culture (though I greatly hesistate saying that because Christian culture in the United States has been associated with so much hypocrisy and a cover for abuses, and I want no part of that), in that I love God and seek to love others. I am part of the special needs culture and am becoming very comfortable in hospital culture as a result. I am begining to study the Deaf/Hard of Hearing culture in order to access resources to help my daughter. I feel like my life is a study of different American cultures and how cultures blend to become new cultures.
I wonder if part of the reason American culture varies so much is because of the sheer size of America. Does a smaller country like Italy have more of a consistent culture? Or does the culture even in a small place vary widely as well?
I think the reason American culture varies so much is that it is a fairly new country. Other countries have been around for much longer and have had time to develop more of a culture.