4.4 The norms and values that apply in the community

Life orientation

Grade 8

Social development and career orientation

Module 26

The norms and values that apply in the community

Activity 5:

To discuss the norms and values of you community and the ways in which they are applied

[lo 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5]

Norms and values refer to what a society sees as proper, right and desirable. Culture plays an important role in this regard and this can lead to problems in a multicultural country. One or more of the cultural groups might believe that their values and norms are disregarded and that other groups suppress them.

In many instances it is true that there actually is a dominant cultural group that can determine norms and values. The other groups then have to fit in with that, or they may be given limited scope for practising their own values and norms.

One advantage of democracy is that it resists this type of domination. Societal and government structures are such that every one can take part in decision-making processes, even if only by means of representation. Democracy and change usually go hand in hand. There is mutual respect and understanding and it is possible to determine what is generally valid and can therefore be applied to everyone and where space has to be allowed for whatever is specific to particular groups. Determining what is generally valid goes with a measure of give and take. If this did not happen, it would mean that the values and norms of one group would be forced on other groups. This would be accompanied by changes in cultural values and norms.

• This is how a nation is built!
• Let us consider a couple of examples:

Case histories

Case 1

BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Letter writer's plea for all cultural differences to be affected for the sake of a peaceful society is idealistic (Letters page 20/8).

Cultural differences are a reality. There are vast differences between Western, Eastern and African societies. And it is true that cultural contact is increasing worldwide, and cultural intermingling is increasing.

Locally we have to deal with two main cultures, the Western and the African culture. Who determines how we choose between the two?

It might seem that everything here is westernised, but this is untrue. Many western material goods are accepted and preferred. This is accompanied by a Western lifestyle.

A too rapid cultural change can lead to alienation. This can lead to various evils.

Apartheid has been scrapped from the statute book, but freedom - and freedom of association - has taken its place. It is better to not enforce intermingling of cultures. People must make a voluntary choice to get to know one another across cultural differences. In such a way we will discover that, in spite of the cultural differences, all of us are people who are trying to make our existence meaningful.

WRITER

Durbanville

(Source: Die Burger , 22 August 2003- translated)

• Does the writer's letter show support for nation building and the establishment of democracy? Explain:

Case 2

A SANGOMA AT LAST

The Fairlady of February 2003 featured an article on Shado Dludlu, for whom the call of tradition was too strong to ignore. Shado's parents, being Christians, did not support his plans to become a sangoma. Yet this 34-year old now runs the Emagulebini Healing Centre in Barberton and in Melville. To satisfy his parents, he first attended university to obtain a BA degree. He tells of how the call to become a sangoma, which was what he had always wanted to be, became stronger and stronger during his final year at university. His grandfather and uncles had all been sangomas and he thought that it was important to continue the tradition. During his honours year, he decided to discontinue full-time studies and to follow his calling It was not easy to do so, and his family discouraged him from doing it. Nowadays, though, he sees many wealthy city dwellers in his visiting rooms. They come to consult him when it becomes clear that the only possible answer to their problems is a cultural one.