Research Paper on Rites of Passage

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Science

Description

In the Research Paper, you will examine your own culture from an etic (outsider’s) perspective and another culture from an emic (insider’s) perspective to demonstrate your understanding of cultural relativism and examine misconceptions and ethnocentric beliefs concerning each of these cultures. Keep the distinction between cultural relativism and moral relativism in mind as you write your final paper. Even if you do not personally agree with a cultural practice, demonstrate your understanding of the practice in its cultural context. Avoid opinionated or judgmental language in your paper.

Cultural relativism is the idea that the beliefs and practices of a culture should be understood within the context of that particular culture’s background, history, and current events surrounding it. We should not ethnocentrically impose our own beliefs and opinions, which are products of our own enculturation.

Cultural relativism is not the same as moral relativism, however. As Crapo (2013) notes

We need not, for instance, come to value infanticide in order to understand the roles it may play in peoples’ lives in a society where it is customary. What cultural relativism requires of us is simply that we do not confuse our own feelings about such a custom with understanding it. To do the latter, we must investigate the meanings the custom has for those who practice it and the functions it may fulfill in their society. (section 1.4, “Cultural Differences: Cultural Relativism,” para. 3)

Keep the distinction between cultural relativism and moral relativism in mind as you write your Research Paper. Even if you do not personally agree with a cultural practice, demonstrate your understanding of the practice in its cultural context. Avoid opinionated or judgmental language in your paper.

Your Research Paper will consist of two main parts, framed by an Introduction and a Conclusion. See the Final Paper Flow Chart for a quick overview of the assignment. See the following instructions for information on each part of the paper.

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Explanation & Answer

Attached.

Running head: RITES OF PASSAGE

1

Rites of Passage
Institution Affiliation
Date

RITES OF PASSAGE

2
Introduction

Different people come from different cultural backgrounds and this makes all the
difference in terms of beliefs and the way in which people relate with one another. I am of the
opinion that while different people may have different beliefs on particular issues. This does not
warrant judging other people based on their culture. It is also very important to understand the
concept of moral relativism as well as the concept of cultural relativism. This ensures that
different people are placed in a position where they look at different cultures in a different
perspective that is not necessarily judgmental (Malti-Douglas, 2017).
Part 1
I come from a cultural subset where for the longest time, the rights of women have not
been recognized. One would call it a backward way of thinking but that is just how it is. The
place of women who are African Americans is often considered to be in the kitchen. At the same
time, it is believed that women need to stay at home to raise their children and to take part in
household chores. With the revolutionary times, however, African American women have begun
to get out of their cultural cocoons. ...


Anonymous
This is great! Exactly what I wanted.

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