Cultural transmission

Definition

Cultural transmission is the process by which knowledge, beliefs, values, and practices are passed from one generation to another within a culture. This includes the ways in which traditions, language, and social norms are shared and maintained over time. The effectiveness of cultural transmission can significantly influence the survival and adaptation of cultural identities, especially in contexts where external pressures threaten to erase them.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Boarding schools aimed at Native American children were designed to erase their cultural identities by enforcing the use of English and prohibiting indigenous languages.
2. The goal of these institutions was to assimilate Native American youth into Euro-American culture, disrupting traditional pathways of cultural transmission within families and communities.
3. Many children were forcibly removed from their homes, leading to a generational disconnection that profoundly impacted cultural continuity among Native American tribes.
4. Cultural transmission was often resisted by Native American families, who sought ways to maintain their traditions and pass them on despite the pressures of forced assimilation.
5. The legacy of boarding schools still affects Native communities today, as efforts to reclaim languages and traditions continue as a form of cultural transmission.

Review Questions

• How did boarding schools disrupt the process of cultural transmission among Native American communities?
  • Boarding schools disrupted cultural transmission by forcibly removing Native American children from their families and placing them in environments that discouraged their native languages and traditions. The emphasis on assimilation meant that children were taught Euro-American values while being punished for expressing their own culture. This created a gap in the passing down of cultural knowledge and practices, significantly weakening the bonds between generations within Native communities.
• In what ways did Native American families resist the cultural transmission disruptions caused by boarding schools?
  • Native American families resisted disruptions by finding clandestine ways to teach their children traditional values, languages, and customs despite the restrictions imposed by boarding schools. Families would share stories or teach skills related to their cultural heritage during brief visits or through letters. Some parents would actively advocate for their children's return home or send messages of resilience that emphasized the importance of maintaining their identity despite institutional pressures.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of disrupted cultural transmission due to forced assimilation on contemporary Native American identity.
  • The long-term impacts of disrupted cultural transmission due to forced assimilation have led to significant challenges for contemporary Native American identity. Many individuals face a loss of language and traditional practices, resulting in efforts for revitalization that often include language programs and cultural events aimed at reclaiming heritage. This struggle for cultural restoration reflects a broader resilience among Native communities as they seek to rebuild their identities while acknowledging the historical trauma caused by such assimilation policies.

Related terms

Assimilation:

The process through which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the practices and beliefs of another culture, often leading to a loss of their original cultural identity.

Acculturation:

The phenomenon where individuals or groups from one culture come into contact with another culture, resulting in changes to both cultures as they exchange ideas and practices.

Intergenerational learning: A process where knowledge and skills are passed down from older generations to younger ones, playing a crucial role in maintaining cultural continuity.