Humans have always fought over territory with a view to protecting cultural norms. We are from our land and our land belongs to us. Therefore, traditionally, culture has been linked geographically. With technology, modernization, wealth, and ease of travel, global nomadic lifestyles are changing the definition of cultural norms.
It is important that we broaden the scope of our understanding of culture and be aware of the limitations we place on people when we define them culturally. Furthermore, in business, corporations and multinational entities have to move from diversity awareness to multiculturalism and intercultural inclusion if they want to continue to have a substantial global impact.
Furthermore, when we assess other people’s cultures and categorize people based on their implicit or overt membership in a particular culture, we choose to see that person as part of a group rather than an individual. When we view others solely through the lens of their cultural context, we limit their humanity and individuality.
On the other hand, when we look at people solely as individuals and don’t encourage them to connect with others and partially define themselves as part of a larger group, we deprive them of being an active participant in the beauty of collaboration and the depth that mosaic of culture contributes to our daily lives.
The irony of the culture in America is that although this is that unique environment that first put individual rights and freedoms above group rights, prejudice against racially and culturally defined groups remains a relentlessly destructive norm.
Human beings have an innate need to be part of a group, a tribe that has cultural expression. When we were born, we belong to our mothers, our fathers, and our family. Human beings are the most helpless of creatures at birth, so our need to belong to a family system is deeply ingrained in our developmental DNA. Furthermore, throughout our lives, very few of any of us live in complete isolation. We were created to belong to a group, so expressing and appreciating our individual traits while belonging to a group in which we are productive is necessary for the survival of the human race.
The delicate balance between an individual’s personal expression and that person’s membership in a group is fluid and changes throughout life based on individual experience and age. As children our entire identity is based on our gender, age and the family unit to which we belong. As we age, we use geographic location and membership in higher education institutions or professions to better define and differentiate ourselves within the larger group to which we belong.
Lack of awareness of this evolutionary pattern can create a lot of confusion for those in transition. Global nomads and third culture children in particular have a difficult time navigating some of these membership issues by belonging to these various groups. As a result, they may feel a deep lack of connection with larger groups, recognizing that they do not belong to any culture.
For people who feel culturally lost or don’t feel a strong connection to any cultural group, the key is to be aware of where your individuality flows in a group dynamic at any given time. Check in with yourself regularly and deliberately think about this. Be more aware and take risks when interacting with monocultural people.
Comment on my blog about creative solutions you have had in this area. How did you become aware of our individuality in front of the group? How important is it to consciously belong to a group?