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Cultural Diversity Aging Family
Cultural Diversity Aging Family
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Institution
Introduction
Aging has been one of the most debated issues in the contemporary world. Of course, there is ambiguity as to what should be encompassed in discussions about age. Nevertheless, aging does not revolve around a single experience, rather it also incorporates the manner in which the society views other people based on their looks and actions. This chapter examines how ethnicity and culture interplays with various factors that impact on older families and aging.
Summary of 3 prominent points of the article
One of the key points in the article is that while the media is rife with images of lonely old people, over half of adults aged 65 are married. However, there are variations in the marital status of men and that of women. While the ratio of old women to that of old women is 141: 100, old men have a higher likelihood of being married than their female counterparts (Karasik & Hamon, 2007). This discrepancy may be explained by the variation or difference in life expectancy, sociocultural expectations pertaining to marriage and remarriage, as well as divorce.
The second key point is that the relationship between siblings increases at old age despite a decrease during the child-bearing age. However, the type and amount of contact that siblings have in their later life is mediated by the geographic proximity, individual differences and gender, as well as race. Siblings play a crucial role in enhancing the social support networks pertaining to older adults that are culturally diverse (Karasik & Hamon, 2007).
Third, as much as grandparenthood has become a universal aspect amongst many people, the intimacy and interaction between grandparents and grandchildren has been changed tremendously. This is because of gaps in the cultural values and language differences among other factors. While it is accepted that the grandparents would take an active role in bringing up the grandchildren, research shows that the role incorporates a considerable stress level. However, varied factors such as family support and context of caregiving moderate the stress that the grandparents experience in caregiving (Karasik & Hamon, 2007).
The sociology of the family looks at the family as a unit and institution of socialization via varied sociological perspectives. This article has outlined the interplay of various aspects of the family in the issues pertaining to aging and old age. The authors acknowledge the traditions of numerous groups concentrate on the collectivity and interdependence where the needs of the collective are prioritized over those of the individual (Karasik & Hamon, 2007). This material cemented my knowledge and understanding of the potential roles that the grandparents would play in the lives of their grandchildren. These roles mainly revolve around being teachers of the young generations or being their role models. They can be either companionate grandparents or involved grandparents and break the barriers such as geography, cultural values and time to reach out to the grandkids so as to enhance the quality of their lives (Karasik & Hamon, 2007).
Another issue that crops up in aging families is the companionship bit. It is well established that a large number of old people are married and not lonely. However, it is noteworthy that a large number of these people are men. While there are various explanations to this fact, it is noteworthy that social and cultural expectations pertaining to marriage have been the key cause of the disparity (Karasik & Hamon, 2007). The pool of men who would be willing to marry the widowed women is diminishing while that of men is endless, thanks to the media which still depicts men as ageless while women are shown as unattractive. In essence, most men remarry and remain married in their old age while their female counterparts stay single and lonely thanks to the expectations of the society (Karasik & Hamon, 2007).
Personal effect of the information
The information presented in this chapter is extremely insightful as far as cementing knowledge on the interaction between old age and culture. One of the most insightful things in the material revolves around the positive impact that parenting African American grandparents may have in the lives of their grandchildren. Such relationships have potential strengths such as involving grandchildren in the community, offering socioeconomic support, playing a part in the education of the grandchildren, maintenance of effective communication, eliminating the grandparents’ vulnerabilities, as well as allowing for the participation of the extended family and acknowledging that the biological parents are not present (Karasik & Hamon, 2007). It is worth noting that research shows that while numerous grandchildren would acknowledge that there exists a gap between them and their grandparents, their grandparents would be unlikely to acknowledge the gap. This may be surprising especially considering that most research on this research involves self reporting. However, it could be implying that the grandparents have not evolved as to meet the new or emerging demands and needs of their grandchildren as far as their relationship is concerned.
Another insightful aspect revolves around the fate of a sibling or family relationships. The article has noted that family relationships were arguably the most enduring. However, this trend would be likely to change as the size of the family decreases in the contemporary world (Karasik & Hamon, 2007). This is dreadful especially considering that siblings are a crucial component of the mutual support networks for old people. While there is a difference in the relationships between siblings across races, it is imperative that issues such as immigration are dealt with in a conclusive manner so as to cement the sibling relationships that exist among old people.
References
Karasik, R.J & Hamon, R.R (2007). Cultural Diversity and Aging Families. New York: Sage Publications
Pepsi’s Marketing Mistakes in the Philippine Market
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Pepsi’s Marketing Mistakes in the Philippine Market
Marketing mistakes tend to affect international marketing, as was in the case of Pepsi Company described in the article. A small error in marketing promotion ended up costing the company up to $20 in losses, including legal, brand, and physical costs and a plummeted market share that would take to rebuild. In the early 1990s, Pepsi made a move to expand into the Philippine market, where Coca-Cola was dominant. At the time, the Philippine market was the 12th largest market for soft drinks, with an increasing population of 62 million. They came up with a promotion whereby they put numbers on soda bottles. There would be numerous small winners and two grand winners of $40 000. The number 349 was set as the winning number for the grand prize
However, they were one simple problem; none of the people who won the $40, 000 prizes would get their reward. There was a computer glitch with one of the vendors who made them produce 800, 000 bottles, with each containing a “349” number. As a matter of fact, Pepsi themselves were the ones who would manufacture the two winning bottles and ship them to the Philippines market. This meant that 800, 000 people had received the winning number as opposed to anticipated two winners which made it difficult for Pepsi to award the $40, 000 prize tag. They had accidentally sent winning caps worth $32 billion and meanwhile, the winners were going bananas at the thought of the prize tag money. The marketing strategy was momentarily effective as Pepsi’s market share reached 24.9%, more than 4% within two months. Pepsi realized the optics were not looking good and they had made a terrible mistake as the population, which mainly comprises poor people had begun forming action groups and demonstrating across Manila in their local headquarters and government buildings. Because they could not just simply walk away from the situation, they offered to pay $18 to the 800, 000 winners, at the cost of $8.7 million as opposed to the original budget of $2 million, but the deal was still not enticing enough. This shows how even the smallest marketing mistakes are likely to affect international marketing for companies.
Cultural diffusion
Cultural diffusion
Cultural diffusion is the spreading of cultural items and beliefs from one group of people to another. Historically this occurred as a result of war, trade, intermarriages and various social activities. Other the years, different activities such as sports have assisted in the spread of cultural diffusion.
There are mainly two types of cultural diffusion; direct cultural diffusion and forced diffusion. The difference between the two is that direct diffusion is voluntary and either group is not bid to accept the change. On the other hand forced diffusion also known as expansion diffusion occurs when one group is more superior at the time and forces the other to change or assimilate the there culture. Both types of cultural diffusion have had major contributions in history in relation to social, economic and political sectors. Forced culture diffusion was more common in the early when colonialism was wide spread and migration was more rapid. A good example of forced or expansion cultural diffusion is the settling of Spanish in 16th and 17th centuries on American lands which later forced most American to convert to Roman Catholicism. However, irrespective of the type of cultural diffusion history shows over the years the effect or results achieved are quite similar.
Most developments noted in most countries relate to agricultural, technological, social or economic sectors. All of these sectors strongly relate to cultural diffusion because it has over the years influenced agricultural stage, industrialization, technological regimes and even political stability that called for democracy. Cultural diffusion involve exchanging tools, beliefs and even ideas such as metal which could be improved to be weapons or even tools in agriculture. Beliefs that helped change lives of societies to civilization and even improve living standards. Its worth noting that cultural traits themselves do not assist in development but the variation is respective strengths of groups in cultural assimilation and diffusion dictate the heterogeneity further becoming instruments of economic development.
The four ancient river valley civilizations are a perfect example of the effect and achievement of cultural diffusion. The four ancient river valley civilizations refers to the Egyptian, Tigris- Euphrates, Huang He (yellow River) and Indus civilizations. These were noted in Egypt, India, China and Mesopotamia over the years beginning in 300 BCE on wards but flowering more in 1900 BCE. The Indus valley civilization was the first and was as a result of cultural diffusion through trade among the countries along Indus River. This was closely followed by the civilization in China which according to historical records it began as early as 16th century. Where by the Chinese turtle shells with markings reminiscent from shang dynasty. These interactions with countries along the yellow river valley saw China be one of the worlds strongest over the years. Ancient Egyptian closely followed in civilization and economic development, considering they were located in the north eastern part of Africa they were able to trade with other groups from eastern dessert, Red sea coastlines and Penninsula dessert. In that light, the four river valley civilization was the beginning of civilization. The four early river civilizations assisted in providing the model of civilization. This is where languages were developed, writing types began, and agriculture was first practiced and besides communities started.
Cultural diffusion was noted the four river civilization, as people gathered due to dwindling opportunity there arose need for food thus hunting and gathering was adopted and the need to accumulate food was essential. Since some groups had metal while others provided pieces land farming was made easier. Trade could ensure that people without metal but had land could gain from the trade and thus get metal to made farming tools. Further due to better agricultural methods and grater food production more people could now live in a small area. As an example the Chinese started to farm rice in large scale through trade with the Asian countries along the Pearl River valley of China. Large numbers of phytoliths started to farm rice thus resulting to better living standards and enhanced trade.
Farming and husbandry were the main activities in most countries in the early years but with the various skills and expertise the activities were enhanced to the industrialization and agriculture we have today in the modern society. For instance, the floods on most rivers in the four river civilization were better utilized to improve agriculture that also improved economic status of different groups. The sundial that was the idea of the Egyptian assisted in knowledge of those that interacted with them and they also gained from the spear Greeks to improve security and make art that was also fro trade.
With that analysis its evidence that the four early civilizations developed as a result of technology growth and food storage they gained through improved agriculture. Channeling water and developing laws to enhance peace and prosperity were also major key factors. Socioeconomic classes, astronomical calendars and writing also played a major factor in these civilization stages. All these factors were enhanced through interaction and diffusion of cultures thus tapping civilization as we know it today.