Culture is an integral part of every society. [I] It is a learned pattern of behaviour and ways in which a person lives his or her life. [II] Culture is essential for the existence of a society, because it binds people together. [III] In the explicit sense of the term, culture constitutes the music, food, arts and literature of a society. [IV]
According to English Anthropologist Edward B Taylor, culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Culture is something that a person learns from his family and surroundings, and is not ingrained in him from birth. Even if a person is brought up in a culture different from that in which he was born, he imbibes the culture of the society where he grows up. Some people feel the need to follow the beliefs and traditions of their own culture, even though they might be not subscribing to certain ideologies within.
Culture is the means through which people interact with others in the society. It acts in a subconscious way and whatever we see and perceive, seems to be normal and natural. Sometimes, other societies and people seem to be a little odd because they have a different culture from ours. We must remember that every society has a distinct culture that forms the backbone of the society. Culture does not remain stagnant, on the other hand it is evolving constantly and is in fact somewhat influenced by the other cultures and societies.
Every society has a different culture, where people share a specific language, traditions, behaviours, perceptions and beliefs. Culture gives them an identity which makes them unique and different from people of other cultures. When people of different cultures migrate and settle in another society, the culture of that society becomes the dominant culture and those of the immigrants form the subculture of the community. Usually, people who settle in other nations embrace the new culture, while at the same time strive to preserve their own.
Although every society has a specific culture, there are certain elements of culture that are universal. They are known as cultural universals, in which there are behavioural traits and patterns that are shared by all cultures around the world. These include classifying relations based on blood relations and marriage, telling right from wrong, having some forms of art, use of jewelry, classifying people according to gender and age, etc.
Culture is necessary to establish an order and discipline in the society. It creates a feeling of belonging and togetherness among people in the society.
(Adapted from THiNK)