Human Culture

Material vs. Non-Material Culture Material-the physical objects, resources and spaces people use to define their culture. – Books – Money – Art – Buildings – Food – Clothing – Technology Non-Material- the non- physical ideas that people have about their culture – Language – Economic and governmental systems – Religion – Educational systems – Customs – Traditions

Social Structures Traditional – Upper Class-Nobles – Middle Class-Merchants and craftsman – Lower Class-Peasants Modern – Upper Class-inherited wealth, leadership – Middle Class- educated, mostly successful people – Working Class- laborers – Lower Class- unskilled and uneducated

Family Structure Traditional Large Families Extended families; more than 1 family member in the house Close knit families Education not very important Children live with family until they get married Modern Relatively small families (dad, mom 2-3 kids) Children with parents until they graduate from high school Single family homes Education very important (high levels of technonolgy)

Gender Roles Roles specifically assigned to men and women; originally restrictive (couldn’t change easily), today lines between gender roles have been blurred.

Gender Roles-Traditional Men – Money earners – Head of household – Final decision maker-any matters concerning family Women – Stay at home with the kids – Lack opportunities that men have – No political rights

Gender Roles-Modern MenWomen Both are money earners (same jobs) Equal parenting roles Equal political rights Still under-represented in TOP Government and business jobs

Urbanization Movement of people in great numbers to cities (sped up by the industrial revolution). Problems with Urbanization? – High levels of crime – Overcrowding – Loss of jobs and loss of wages – Traffic causes increase in pollution

Urbanization Urban Culture Modern and advance levels of technology Cities Roads/bridges Sewage systems Hot and cold water Electricity Telephone/internet Most can read and write Rural Culture Traditional-low levels of technology Countryside Small, simple houses Farmers, livestock handlers Communicate with those in the immediate area Many can’t read or write

Why do people migrate? Religious Persecution Push Factors Lack of religious freedom Pull Factors Religious freedom

Why do people migrate? Environmental Factors Push Pollution Extreme climate Natural disasters Lack of water Rugged lands Pull Near water Abundance of resources Moderate climate Flat lands Fertile soil

Why do people migrate? Forced Migration Push Slavery Pull Food Natural resources

Why do people migrate? Political Factors Push Political parties Dictatorships High level of crime Pull Strong government Democracy Political freedoms

Why do people migrate? Ethnic Persecution Push Racism – Jews in WWII Pull Multiculturalism

Why do people migrate? Economic Motives Push Poverty Lack of jobs High taxes Pull Higher wages Available jobs Low taxes