A cultural myth is a traditional story which has a meaning attached to it. These common myths have an effect in they way people lead their lives and even the way they interact with each other. It is noteworthy that misconceptions have a role to play whether it be personally, or to the wider world. In as much as one may believe that or suspect such misconceptions, they still continue to exist in several ways, and are shaping destinies of many. Misconceptions can be packed with truth or falsehood and rely upon the interpretation a person may prefer. Many societies and races in the world have diverse misconceptions which may encourage or discourage certain patterns of behavior. Rituals and customs are described in myths and their merits or demerits laid down for everyone to discern.
The Greek mythology (Detienne, 18) is perhaps most obviously especially in the manner they exhort ancestors to be like gods. Myths arrived before science which makes it impossible to discredit them. Long time before, people depended on myths to clarify the mysteries of creation and they accepted them with a great deal of zeal. A great many other questions were responded to including the origins of man and his eventual future after death. Evil is also brought under the scrutiny of misconceptions and they expound its cause and reason behind its living. The climb of modern civilization can too be tracked in myths ranging from agriculture to industry to settled life in places.
The modern world has continued to embrace myths in one way or another. Modern tools has given rise to much development in media which in turn has empowered many misconceptions from various areas of the earth to be accumulated together for analysis. Literature have been printed out and availed to anybody with interest to learn and either consent or disagree with the topic. From an individual to a community, some ethnical myths seem worthy in the sense that they encourage or uplift the heart (Wessels, 92). Others may well not automatically be so and may seem unrealistic particularly if they are simply prejudicial or implying immorality.
Happily Ever before After; the American modern culture as any other world is not left out in embracing myths. Most of them believe that delight can be looked for and achieved despite the hardship one may go through. Delight is attributed to material property whereby those who don't have ample material wealth are considered disappointed. The ideology of property can be tracked through ancient common myths some of which remain followed today. Hard work is associated to prosperity and insufficient it therefore causes a lowly life.
Studies show that joy is not related to material or money belongings (Veenhoven, 5). The old notion which led many people to acquire as much as they could has shown false. Traditionalists assumed that it's out of what you possess that gives you the feeling of pleasure. People then would strive very much in order to possess money so that they may live the rest with their lives happily. In didn't matter the means or the amount to which this was sought as long as one could happily claim he previously money. Us citizens forgot that enjoyment is never long term and mostly is derived from being more comfortable with what one has, however little.
Obsession with possessions created greed in American people which can never be satisfied. Someone even came up with a term "National Happiness", something that oversaw people neglect other important issues in order to acquire delight. Ironically, this misconception has wrought greed, selfishness and immorality in the Us citizens (Alesina & Tella, 3).
The Nuclear Family has been a basis upon which nations are designed. The nuclear family comprises a father, mother and their children. This family set up has been criticized for a long time due to its insufficient universality, substance and modernity (Chester, 111). Industrialization brought out the need to move away to work places and certainly the nuclear family was afflicted. When the heads of the family started moving to a long way away places in search of job, there remained a question as to whether those left should still be regarded as a nuclear family.
The myth that each nuclear family should cater for itself has added negatively in its substance. Most People in america may prefer to be in such families on the other hand that whole societies need to live a life together and cater for every other. Another aspect making the nuclear family fail is failure of computer being universal. Since other societies on the planet have extended family members, the notion in Americans brain that only the nuclear family is ideal could be wrong. That is another cultural misconception that has taken back the People in america in their pursuits and has isolated them.
The american culture had taken the nuclear family as a symbol and went in advance to portray it in art and media. But statistics show that there has been a drop in the number of nuclear family members in the America within the last few years. Divorces and remarriages are common and therefore the true explanation of a nuclear family has eroded. This continues on to show that the perfect nuclear family that was projected was yet another cultural myth which has no place in modern society. It becomes a myth in the sense that sometimes ago; departure from this family set up was seen as immoral and detrimental by many People in the usa (Uzoka, 34).
Most People in the usa have shunned the extended family set up which prompted communal responsibility, and have upheld nuclear families which promote individualism. The extended family comprises of the nuclear family and the family members. This sort of family is mainly worried about building relationships which in turn are likely involved in the extensive community. It is merely when people begin to care for each other, the immediate community benefits as well as the complete country. Hence, it is important that the Americans embrace lengthened family and rest from their ethnical misconception of nuclear families.
Racial Stereotyping
There have always been contentious issues in regards to racial issue existing between the whites and the blacks in America. The challenge can be tracked in the colonial times whereby dark slavery was a norm. Blacks then were considered superstitious and primitive. Such a myth has seen them being oppressed for so a long time that even now there exists a tiny percentage of whites who regard them so. They have also been associated with every negative aspect in culture from crime, assault and laziness.
An important fact to note is that, were it not for a tradition of viewing black adversely, they too are human being and also have all the abilities as white have. The ethnical myths have made a style that is difficult to cope with in modern society. Some instances where these misconceptions have caused are instances where people are discriminated according to their pores and skin. They are refused jobs and other federal government services because of their skin color. A recent case during Hurricane Katrina where the government failed to action speedily is a research study for this. It attests to the fact that cultural misconceptions still have a location in the present day contemporary society; albeit the American society ought to shun this bad (Palmer, 75).
Americans have stereotyped many other races. The, Americans have stereotyped many other races and the most damaged are the African-Americans. African -American simplification of individuals' behavior is the African-American Stereotyping. They came about in to the American culture from the time of colonial negotiation, specifically after the collapse of Slave Trade. The minstrel of the earlier blackface illustrates blacks as ignorant, superstitious as well as nave in addition to been joyous which are the same characteristics that have been from the slaves. And also the African-American have been stereotyped as a race which involves people who are only proficient at sports. The take action of stereotyping must its top in the media through films in addition to television. The marketing has contributed in transferring negative information regarding the lifestyle of African-American to the teenagers. Certain shows aired on the T. V programs demonstrate the phony personalities about the African People in the usa. To help make the matters worse, there's a specific video game which includes been developed whose main character is an African American who plays only the role of eradicating, robbing alongside having sexual relations with individuals. This indicates an illustration through which the multimedia has been involved in stereotyping. For the reason that of these social myths which have behaved in negative ways towards each other. They have got refused to move from such myths disregarding the actual fact that such cause hatred among each other.
Mark Twain analyses myths in a perfect way by demonstrating in the heroes the effect misconceptions can have on people. The primary themes of recent, slavery, chivalry are indicated well in the reserve. Self-destruction and or preservation are another aspect that is as a result of the booklet.
Hank Morgan is a prisoner who may have traveled back in its history to the 6th century and is sentenced to death before Arthur's court docket because of his bizarre dress and appearance. Before the execution is completed, he is able to buy his freedom by convincing the Arthur that he's a magician. He depends on knowledge a sun eclipse will need place before he is executed and he convinces the King that he is the cause of it. Hank is given the best subject in the land and he will not neglect to ridicule the people who fear him.
Morgan sooner discovers about superstitions embraced by the natives and he capitalizes on his superior knowledge to outdo them. Through the magician Merlin, Hank is later uncovered as a false and people begin to multiply rumor about him. Using his wit the guy can outsmart Merlin again by "phoning fire from above". Hank uses his impact to bring about industrialization compared to that country and also create schools.
She becomes familiar with the territory he begins to comprehend the individuals and their life-style, which remain much in superstitions and common myths, and even befriends a girl known as Sandy. Hank outsmarts Merlin again in rebuilding a shattered water fountain and thus retains ability and esteem. He convinces all present on his ability to summon the demons. Morgan has a way with the native's lives and alongside the king he proceeds the your hands on power.
Sandy gives delivery to a newborn with Hank and upon the child's disease he's lured to leave the united states thus leaving a space in the country's command. The Ruler and Lancelot deal with over Guinevere infidelity. The church provokes a revolt over Hank the individuals start a warfare. The storyline ends with present where Hank is found thinking about his fan, Sandy, almost a millennium later. It really is argued by some individuals that the e book is an attack on American's principles which include materialism and technology. American sentimentalism about days gone by is also criticized (Twain & Thompson).
In conclusion common myths, however good they could be still remain misconceptions. In the modern society, we have to be keen to understand the truths about life and work together towards a standard goal. The real goal in our cultural diversity should be to see everyone gets food, clothing and shelter and that they can fit in every situation.
Twain in his publication looks in the effect common myths have on our culture and day to day live. The mythic Arthur is associated with the past on the other hand with Hank who symbolizes today's. The chapel is also helped bring into perspective and sometimes appears as an evil and an foe which conspires with political numbers to oppress people. Slavery as another sociable menace also needs to be achieved away with. Slavery was embraced by many people in the past since they found in it a way to get cheap labor and money. It becomes a cultural myth that People in america now should abolish.
Magic is contrasted with reality in form of industrialization. People before relied on powerful to attain their needs but the book implies that such a misconception can be done away with through use of technology. Industrialization should be a factor in civilization rather the magic of yesteryears. Many more achievements can be found by training people since human nature allows it. Training decides the behavior of a contemporary society unlike when people count on myths. They may be then able to differentiate between what's right and wrong (Umland & Umland 25).
Besides stereotyping being hurtful, it is incorrect as well. Despite the fact that the stereotype can be accurate in some events; relentlessly putting a person down based on predetermined perceptions cannot assist in motivating one to succeed. Stereotyping only gears people to lead life styles of hatred and in a few situations stereotypes victims are in fear.
It should be known that all these myths have had a location in American modern culture plus some have tarnished its name. People in the usa should therefore move from negative cultural misconceptions, as discussed above, to be able to keep as a country. Above all, all the countries look towards America for assistance and support.
