Personal Reflection on Culture: Identity, Power, and Perspectives

This essay presents a personal reflection on culture and its impact on individual identity. It addresses key issues such as the social construction of identity, power and privilege within cultural contexts, the functions and elements of culture, and various theoretical perspectives. The reflection explores how social structures like location, income, gender, and nationality shape cultural identity and emphasizes the importance of recognizing power imbalances within society. It further discusses how culture provides solutions to complex situations, shapes personality, and comprises elements like language, symbols, norms, and values. The author assesses their personal journey through learning about these concepts and acknowledges the need for change in their own beliefs and perspectives regarding cultural norms. The essay concludes by recognizing the existence of sub-cultures within larger ethno-cultural contexts and the significance of belonging to a group.

Running head: CULTURE 1
World Culture
Name:
Institution Affiliation:

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Introduction
In this unit readings there are numerous issues which have been raised in relation to culture as a
construct (Berger, 2016). Moreover, it has shown me how it relates to and the impact it has on
my own cultural identity. In this reflection, I will response to the issues raised in this unit such as
social construction of identity, power and privilege, functions of the culture, elements of culture
and theoretical perspectives.
Social construction of identity
Based on what I have learnt in this unit identities are formed based on the interactions with
others. According to Stuart Hall, he highlighted that social identity should go through the eye of
the needle of the other before it could construct itself (Eicher & Evenson, 2014). Our culture
identity in most of the time is shaped by things such as location, income, gender, social class,
gender, family history and nationality (Eicher & Evenson, 2014). These elements are the social
structures and they are not equally available or equally values to all of us Most of the time we
more often identify ourselves to a specific culture because we want to fulfil our sense of
belonging, to feel being part of something bigger than ourselves since it would give us protection
and identity (Eicher & Evenson, 2014).
Power and privilege
Discussion about power and privilege could be emotionally challenging, which could trigger
feelings of guilt or defensiveness (Fullan, 2014). Nonetheless, I have realized that it is important
to recognize our society has numerous races and culture which is the key to determining power
and status those whose skin is white and those whose ethnocultural origins are European have
greater access to specific social, political along with cultural beliefs, such as higher social status

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and income, positions of authority and even greater control over the making decisions
(Thompson, 2015). This kind of privilege usually reinforces and at the same time perpetuates the
power of imbalance between the white individuals and the racialized groups.
Functions of culture
I have learnt that culture is a unique possession to individuals. Majority and born and brought up
in a cultural environment. People cannot survive without culture since it represents the entire
achievement of human beings. Culture is important for a number of reasons such as; it provides
solution to complicated situations (Thompson, 2015). It is able to provide individuals with set of
behavior for situations that are difficult. Moreover, it provides the traditional interpretations in
different situations. It also shapes the personality of people (Jordan, McClure & Woodward,
2017). There is no person who can develop the human qualities in absence of the cultural
environment.
Elements of cultures
Culture had numerous elements which are important towards a personal identity these are;
language, symbols, norms, values, beliefs and the cognitive elements (Williams, 2014). These
elements shape the identity of an individual in one way or another.
Theoretical perspectives
Self-assessment of own personal journey
Throughout this assessment my personal journey has been represented in various steps. Through
learning I have been able aware of these concepts which are concerned in relation to culture. The
social environment within a given culture could impinge on the development, from bonding as

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well as competitive stress towards the social facilitation of learning. Culture is responsible for
everything which we do and think. I have become knowledgeable of my own culture identity and
I ought to change on some of the beliefs in regards to my culture. The different aspects learnt
have motivated me to change on my perspective in relation to the cultural norms. Through
learning it is important to practice sustained change as an individual I have learnt that there are
sub-cultures that are within larger ethno cultural context which individuals can identify
themselves. A person identity entails belonging to a certain group.

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References
Berger, A. A. (2016). Culture: Identity. In Applied Discourse Analysis (pp. 167-177). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
Eicher, J. B., & Evenson, S. L. (2014). The visible self: Global perspectives on dress, culture and
society. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.
Fullan, M. (2014). Leading in a culture of change personal action guide and workbook. John
Wiley & Sons.
Jordan, T., McClure, B., & Woodward, K. (Eds.). (2017). Culture, Identity and Intense
Performativity: Being in the Zone. Taylor & Francis.
Thompson, E. P. (2015). Customs in common: Studies in traditional popular culture. New Press,
The.
Williams, R. (2014). Keywords: A vocabulary of culture and society. Oxford University Press.