Sociology Cultural Background Paper

Sociology: Cultural Background PaperIntroduction The culture of the French people where I come from is largely influenced by the geographical shape, the historical events and some of external and internal forces as well as groups. The external forces are mainly comprised of the larger European nations since France is part of the European Union umbrella. In my country, the beliefs and values are learnt through the socialization process and the material artifacts. There are cultural guides and social interactions between members of the larger society and this has influenced a lot the personal beliefs and values, which are integral in shaping a person's perception of the completely French culture.The French Culture France is well known for its tradition and they are solidly established in experiments and in natural sciences, and as well in social and human sciences (Manen, 1990). The identification of the French practices is based on the historical origins of the nation in Celtic and the Gallo-Roman. The social class, the political party affiliation and ethnicity categorize the population and it takes a high assimilations approach towards its immigrant populations. In France, there are two major types of ethnic group identity: the ones associated with territorial groups, which claim a separate identity from the dominant French identity and the one which is associated with the immigrants, especially from the North Africans. Food is given significance and has a social and cultural meaning. For example, a typical family may start with a soup and then followed with vegetables. Salads, meat dish, dessert and wine are common ingredients in a French meal. Class and caste stratification is common in France and it is based on social status, where, there is the middle class, low class and the high class. The high class is the dominant class and it controls education and industry. There is low mobility in the change of class and children born of a particular class, which their parents are in find themselves adopting and staying in that class (Santon, 1981). There is a high level of social problems and that is why one would easily notice the presence of armed police in major corners of the country for fear of eruption of violence. The labor unions are strong and the striking workers can easily curb some of the social menace. On etiquette, social class distinctions determine the kind of etiquette adopted by various groups. Two people who are close friends only do kissing. There is formality in verbal greetings and there is show for respect for "madam, monsieur, or mademoiselle in any type of greeting (Santon, 1981). There is a great support for arts in France at levels of the state, regional and the municipal ones. The French Ministry of Culture fund artists and restores projects and museums. The most important forms of graphic arts are the painting, sculpture and architecture.Comparisons of French Culture and the American Culture There are a number of correlations between the French culture and the American especially on morals and mannerisms. According to Lamont (1992), Americans high value is on strong political and economic culture, which is on being well informed. More often, the Americans have a strong cosmopolitanism that is, having had a chance to travel, to learn languages, or to discover various culinary and a strong sense of self-actualizations. This two is replicated in the French culture where people integrate a lot due to the traveling, which is made by different ethnic groups. Another notable area of similarities is in the eating habits where the Americans too give strong significance to food and general dieting.The Contrast in the Two Cultures There are a number of differences associated with the French and the American Cultures. The way the Americans approach greetings is different and while the French emphasis on respect for particular groups like gender, class and other social aspects, the American's approach is different (Lamont, 1992). This perhaps is attributed to the early civilization such that people value each other as having equal status. The music culture also has varying levels, where the French people have considerable concentration on patriotism in their music. The American music has minimal of this and the topics are varying, especially on love and social living. The France people have a kind of eating habits that include the type of foods associated with ceremonies. In American, any food is for any occasion literary and there is no particular importance in giving a particular focus to particular food.Integration of the Two Cultures Having lived in America in a couple of years, I have had ability to integrate the two cultures but with devotion to my country's culture in the inside part of me. For socialization, I have had to respond positively to it and give it a thumb but only to the extreme. The part of respecting other individuals is part of me and it is not going to die soon with the integration of cultures. I have learnt to portray one culture at a time depending on the kind of social friends I have. When in the company of my France mates, I portray my inner culture devoted to my country but when I am in the company of the Americans, I give my best to portray their culture.  ReferencesLamont, M. (1992). Money, Morals and Manners: The Culture of the French and American Upper Middle Class. Chicago: University of Chicago. Manen, M. (1990). Social Sciences and Humanties & Humanties Research Council. "Culture." Vol. 10 No 1.Santa, G. (1981). Societe et Culture de La France Contemporaine. Albany: State University of New York Press.