The Deep Structure of Culture: Lessons from the Family „In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past and a bridge to our future.” –Alex Haley

„In the study of intercultural communication it is not enough simply to know that some people bow while others shake hands…it is more important to know what motivates people to engage in one action rather than another.”*

Deep structure: the conscious and unconscious assumptions about how the world works which unify and make each culture unique and explain the „how” and „why” of a culture’s collective action*

The core of any culture’s deep structure are social organizations The core of any culture’s deep structure are social organizations.The three most influential social organizations are 1) family (clans) 2) state (community) 3) religion (worldview) They define, create, transmit, maintain and reinforce the basic and most crucial elements of every culture.*

--Deep structure social oranizations carry the messages that matter the most to people. They form our notions about right and wrong, why there is suffering, what to expect from life, where our loyalties should be, and how to prepare for death. --Their messages endure --Their message are deeply felt; they arouse profound emotional feelings --They supply much of a person’s identity*

FAMILY „If you know the family, you do not need to know the individual FAMILY „If you know the family, you do not need to know the individual.” –Chinese proverb „My father planted for me, and I planted for my children.” –Hebrew proverb „A person who has children does not die.” –African proverb „The apple does not fall far from the tree.” –American proverb

What is a family? „A family is any…parent-child or other kin relationship in which people…form an economic unit and care for any young, consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group, and commit to maintaining that group over time.” –Lamanna and Riedmann, Marriage and Families: Making Choice in a Diverse Society

--The family is the first ‚carrier’ of the essential information that the child needs to know as a member of the culture --The family is the first and chief socializing agent --The family is the principal transmitter of knowledge, values, attitudes, roles and habits from one generation to the next --The family teaches communal or collective values; they emphasize the needs, goals, and identity of the group

Functions of the family --Reproductive function --Economic function --Socialization function --Language acquisition function --Identity function*

Basic communication skills every child must learn in the family: --When and how to disclose personal information to others --How to show respect to other people --How to start, maintain and end a conversation --Taking turns when interacting. When to listen and when to speak --When not to interrupt --The use of silence --The correct volume for each setting --Knowing appropriate and inappropriate topics of conversation --How to use humor --Correct use of nonverbal communication (touch) --Taking responsiblity for personal actions --How to respond to criticism --How to give and receive compliments --Developing empathy*

Cultural variants in family interaction --Nuclear families --Extended families --Individualism vs. Collectivism --Gender roles --Treatment of the elderly --Direct (aggressive) vs. Indirect (submissive)

„…people of Mexican origin are more likely to live in an extended family context.” „Arab culture teaches that the needs of the group are more important than the needs of one person.” (Esherick) „The training young girls receive at home instills…modesty, reticence, elegance…tidiness, courtesy, compliance, discipline for self-reliance, diligence, endurance, and a willingness to work around the house.” (Hall) „African-American elders became indisepnsible resources for their wisdom and guidance, and were, in turn, recognized and given strength, empowered, and authenticated.” In the United States, „…many young males learn to dominate others as a way to increase their status.”* *from Communication Between Cultures, Samovar, McDaniel, et al.