Introduction
The rituals of the Nacirema are easily seen as unfamiliar compared to the American society; this view is caused by the sociocultural difference that exists in every society. Several modern societies share common cultural practices and beliefs, most borrowed from Western countries; thus, they view other cultures as either primitive or outdated. This difference is caused by the difference in the community’s belief systems. Every community has its origin and specific cultural beliefs in which its people conform and abide. The people’s livelihood has been built on these customs and despite the other cultures seeing them as abnormal, they are regular and, thus, have to be passed through generations.
Discussion
Some of the similarities between the two societies include pregnancy control; for instance, the Nacirema schedule intercourse during specific phases of the moon to prevent pregnancy, while the Americans have highly adopted contraceptives to control pregnancy. Additionally, breast shaping is common in both; Americans have plastic surgery for breast modification, and the Nacirema had ritual fasts to shape the breast, making women’s breasts larger if small or smaller if they are large (Miner 506).
Body rituals in America are extreme and are highly influenced by technology. Compared to the Nacirema culture spiritual rituals, charm boxes, ‘lalipso’ ceremonies, and intercourse is taboo. The American culture has no privacy for the body they view intercourse as a recreational activity rather than for procreation. Most individuals (children and adults) expose their bodies with no respect by drawing tattoos and using contraceptives as an advantage over controlling pregnancy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, American society highly depends on medication (science) to cure their problems and is prescribed pills to overcome stress. American society is perceived to be more advanced; however, it has been shifted by technology without any common belief system that binds them together.
Work Cited
Miner, Horace. “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema.” American Anthropologist, vol. 58, no. 3, 1956, pp. 503-507.