Yaman Culture Vs American Culture Essay
Yamani Culture versus American Culture
Culture is defined as as “the beliefs, customs, arts of particular society” it’s no secret that every society has its own culture and traditions. Many people may see their actions and traditions as strange but it is still unique to them. Arab beliefs are often perceived as “unique and [is] often mysterious to Westerners.” (2006) Arabs and Americans are a group of individuals that are united by their culture.
When looking at Arab or Yemeni values and beliefs, one must know that Islam is a great influence to culture. Arab culture in general is the product of Islam. Arab and Islamic beliefs shape an individual and their roles in their societies. The United States of America is influenced by Western culture. Americans believe in everyone being equal and freedom of choice.
In the Yemeni culture in particular, family is the center of everything. Yemeni families have strong …show more content…
family ties, and live with their extended families. The men and women carry out specific roles. The female is responsible for the housework, and raising their children while the men are the ones out working. When the children are grown, they are expected to take care of their parents. The elders of the family are looked up to and are highly respected. They tell stories of the past and pass on family traditions. Family is also important, but not central in the American culture. In American families, men and women have equal roles. They both share the household chores, work and raise their children. Parents support their children until they become adults and then they are independent and on their own.
Yemenis live their life through Islamic beliefs. speaks the Arabic language. The Quran is the holy book that guides them and instructs them on what they should and shouldn’t do. It is also a book of stories of past prophets. There are many different sects of Muslims the two dominant groups are the Sunni and Shia sects. Muslims believe that “humans cannot control all events” and everything that happens is because of fate. (2002) There are five pillars of faith that Arabs must fulfill which are faith, prayer, zakat (almsgiving), fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca if possible. Americans have many different religious beliefs because there are people that migrated to the United States from all over the world. “About 83 percent Americans identify themselves as Christians,” the two dominant groups of Christianity Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Protestants, but there are some people that have been influenced by other religions. (2015) Also, Americans primarily speak the English language, but many people speak a second language.
Yemenis have very strong traditions and values.
Marriage is very sacred to them. Arranged marriages are very common and marrying someone from the same social class background is very important. When selecting a partner paying attention to family reputation is very important. Men and women do not socialize with one another in the same room. Dating is forbidden. Yemeni women must dress modestly. They wear a long traditional dress called abaya and a headscarf. Many women believe this creates a sense of dignity and modesty. Yemeni men wear robes, headdress and a Janbiya which it symbolizes and recognized them mostly for special occasions or when going to the mosque. Otherwise they wear blue jeans, T-shirts or suits. On the other hand, American men and women socialize with one another. Since men and women date, they decide if they will be friends or more than friends and get married. Depending on what region Americans live, they wear different clothing from dresses, skirts, blue jeans, flannel shirts and cowboy boots to business suits and designer
clothes.
In conclusion, people often underestimate the great influence of society on one’s culture. Arabs (Yemeni) and Americans come from the same or mixed races and different traditional upbringings. We should respect other society’s traditions and customs in the same way we respect our own. People do not choose their culture and traditions; we are born with it.
Culture is defined as as “the beliefs, customs, arts of particular society” it’s no secret that every society has its own culture and traditions. Many people may see their actions and traditions as strange but it is still unique to them. Arab beliefs are often perceived as “unique and [is] often mysterious to Westerners.” (2006) Arabs and Americans are a group of individuals that are united by their culture.
When looking at Arab or Yemeni values and beliefs, one must know that Islam is a great influence to culture. Arab culture in general is the product of Islam. Arab and Islamic beliefs shape an individual and their roles in their societies. The United States of America is influenced by Western culture. Americans believe in everyone being equal and freedom of choice.
In the Yemeni culture in particular, family is the center of everything. Yemeni families have strong …show more content…
family ties, and live with their extended families. The men and women carry out specific roles. The female is responsible for the housework, and raising their children while the men are the ones out working. When the children are grown, they are expected to take care of their parents. The elders of the family are looked up to and are highly respected. They tell stories of the past and pass on family traditions. Family is also important, but not central in the American culture. In American families, men and women have equal roles. They both share the household chores, work and raise their children. Parents support their children until they become adults and then they are independent and on their own.
Yemenis live their life through Islamic beliefs. speaks the Arabic language. The Quran is the holy book that guides them and instructs them on what they should and shouldn’t do. It is also a book of stories of past prophets. There are many different sects of Muslims the two dominant groups are the Sunni and Shia sects. Muslims believe that “humans cannot control all events” and everything that happens is because of fate. (2002) There are five pillars of faith that Arabs must fulfill which are faith, prayer, zakat (almsgiving), fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca if possible. Americans have many different religious beliefs because there are people that migrated to the United States from all over the world. “About 83 percent Americans identify themselves as Christians,” the two dominant groups of Christianity Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Protestants, but there are some people that have been influenced by other religions. (2015) Also, Americans primarily speak the English language, but many people speak a second language.
Yemenis have very strong traditions and values.
Marriage is very sacred to them. Arranged marriages are very common and marrying someone from the same social class background is very important. When selecting a partner paying attention to family reputation is very important. Men and women do not socialize with one another in the same room. Dating is forbidden. Yemeni women must dress modestly. They wear a long traditional dress called abaya and a headscarf. Many women believe this creates a sense of dignity and modesty. Yemeni men wear robes, headdress and a Janbiya which it symbolizes and recognized them mostly for special occasions or when going to the mosque. Otherwise they wear blue jeans, T-shirts or suits. On the other hand, American men and women socialize with one another. Since men and women date, they decide if they will be friends or more than friends and get married. Depending on what region Americans live, they wear different clothing from dresses, skirts, blue jeans, flannel shirts and cowboy boots to business suits and designer
clothes.
In conclusion, people often underestimate the great influence of society on one’s culture. Arabs (Yemeni) and Americans come from the same or mixed races and different traditional upbringings. We should respect other society’s traditions and customs in the same way we respect our own. People do not choose their culture and traditions; we are born with it.