Anthropology

Insight into two different worlds  Have you ever asked the reasons of your actions Or have you ever wondered why your identity is such Come to think of it, is not the place where you are actually, describes who you have been all along It all boils down to what we call culture, culture is defined as those integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that is both a result and integral to the human capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations (relative to the place where you belong)(answers. com). This implies that we are in any way the same with other people because we were influenced by the beliefs were we live in. Greek culture has been illustrated through Greek mythology, which we encounter in our academic lives. Their mythology, illustrates their firm hold and foundation to their religion and culture. In Greek culture, roles of women and men are distinct from one another. At the time that the children were born they were taught how to be in the society, apparently it formed their roles and functions.

However their roles vary according to the state they belong. Among other city-states, Sparta and Athens in Greece greatly imply differences, especially on men and women relation. In Sparta, their education is purely military (crystallinks.com). Trainings differ according to their age. Trainings are dedicated for their being-ness in the society. Boys were built to be a military, if they fail they will become perioikos, or the middle class in the society who owns businesses but were not citizens and not included in politics (crystallinks.com). Though women were supposed to stay with their mothers they were still nurtured to be strong like men, and they are as free like them. Unlike in Athens, children were indulged with arts and politics. Citizens were taught to adhere to a democratic-city state. They nurture themselves with books, though there are some military trainings it is lighter than the Spartan male. While their counterparts, trainings are based on domestic education. Likewise if women had mastered to be interesting companions for men, then they are considered as highly educated. Conclusively, Athens focuses on the education of mind, body and aesthetic sense, like, Plato and Socrates.

Japan, on the other hand exemplifies another unique and rich characteristic of culture. Japanese culture appears to be distinct compared to others they have actually created their signature or marks in aspects like arts, music, dance, or in short, in all aspects of life. I must say that they really had influenced other societies from small details like dress or kimono. One of cultural analysis that described the pattern of their culture is Ruth Benedicts The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. Here, she exemplified cultural emphases that would define Japanese culture. Rearing a child in Japan is at most opposite to that of Western style. Japanese childhood stage is lenient and then as they grow older more restrictions come in their lives. Women are supposed to be good child bearers, which is why it is shameful not to have a child. Another is that when they are pregnant they are not supposed to publicize it however when they have delivered the child, mothers is expected to teach them and bring them anywhere they go (Benedict, 2005). Sacrifice is customary to them, as a child they were taught to give up something for the other to succeed. Throughout their childhood, Japanese has been taught to avoid shameful events or circumstances. Sexual acts are not obnoxious as long as they are in the proper place. 

Through these two distinct cultures one can map out where identities and personalities started off. Apparently, education is a vital part of transmitting their culture.