Attachment and Culture
Socio-cultural factors have a strong influence on attachment at various stages. One of the socio-cultural beliefs among many people around the world is that a fatherly figure is a sign of security (Dasgupta and Hauspie 45). This creates a unique bond between a father and other members of his family. The secure attachment created in this context is based on the belief that the father is able to counter any threat that may face the family.
His presence means security not only to the children but also other members of the family who believe that the father has the power to make the home environment safe. Whenever a child is forced to spend some time away from the parents, either for educational purposes or a tour, the primary concern of all the family members is always on its security.
Given that the father will not be present to offer protection, the child will feel very insecure (Artwelle and Wislon 71). The attachment to the father can sometimes be so strong that a child may completely refuse to part from its family for fear of what may happen. This socio-cultural factor is responsible for the unique bond that children, especially girls who often feel insecure, have with their fathers.
Socio-Cultural Influences on Education
Social integration is one of the major factors that have significant impact on student’s achievement, especially in higher education. According to Cameron and Bogin, success in higher education is achieved through intensive research and sharing of knowledge (43). Students in higher education institutions stand a better chance of achieving success when they work as a team.
The United States has been struggling to fight racial and other forms of discrimination, especially in institutions of learning, because of its negative consequences. Social integration brings together learners from different social background into a single system where they can easily interact and share the research findings for their own success. Daun says that students who have learnt to accept their colleagues from different social backgrounds have higher chances of achieving academic success than their colleagues who are antisocial (112).
Appreciating other people the way they are expands one’s thinking beyond the narrow sense of racism. Graduate students spend a lot of time testing theories and principles to determine their applicability in a real world situation. They can make better progress if they work as a unit irrespective of the socio-cultural differences they may have. Undergraduate students also stand to benefit a lot if they embrace social integration in the education setting.
Socio-Cultural Influences on Relationships
The religion that I embraced has largely shaped my own relationship behavior with my friends. I came from a family of Christians and we strongly believe in loving and caring for people around us. At school, these beliefs have strongly influenced how I relate with my friends. Baumeister and Bushman note that it is the responsibility of all Christians to offer support to those who are in need of it (43). I have been keen to support my friends in various areas when they are in need.
I also try to avoid engaging in activities that may hurt my colleagues because I always want to share in their happiness. Compassion is another factor that has influenced the way I relate with my friends. As Daun notes, it is ethically important to be compassionate when it is necessary (122).
I have often faced a situation where I have to sacrifice my personal happiness to help a friend who is facing a given problem. It gives me a special satisfaction to see someone happy because of my actions. Sometimes it may not be easy to make major personal sacrifices, but in the long run one realizes that indeed the sacrifice was worth making because of the long-term psychological benefits.
Views of the Elderly
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is largely an Islamic state with an overwhelming majority professing Islamic faith. In this socio-cultural environment, the elders are viewed as the leaders who have the absolute power to make critical decisions in their families and society. In an Islamic setting, elders are seen as the custodian of wisdom. They know when it is appropriate to go to war, and when the community should refrain from war.
They are revered and their instructions cannot be disrespected. Unlike in Western nations where elders are cared for in homes for the elderly, in Islamic settings the elderly remain with their family members as the head (Kahn and Wright 92). They have the responsibility to guide the younger generation and to show them the right paths they ought to take in order to achieve success.
According to Baumeister and Bushman, elders in this setting remain very active, especially mentally because they are often called upon to make critical decision (78). Instead of the old age being a weakness as is the case in most American families, it becomes a resource revered by the society. In this setting, the government recognizes and respects the role of the elders in the society and the need to consult them as frequently as possible when making major policies.
Works Cited
Artwelle, George, and Francis Wislon. New Human Growth Hormone Research. New York: Nova Biomedical Books, 2012. Print.
Baumeister Roy, and Brad Bushman. Social Psychology and Human Nature. New York: Cengage Learning, 2016. Print.
Cameron, Noël, and Barry Bogin. Human Growth and Development. Amsterdam: Academic Press, 2012. Print.
Dasgupta, Parasmani, and Roland Hauspie. Perspectives in Human Growth, Development and Maturation. Dordrecht: Springer, 2011. Print.
Daun, Kenneth. Humanivity – Innovative Economic Development Through Human Growth. Norderstedt: Books on Demand, 2013. Print.
Kahn, Jack, and Susan Wright. Human Growth and the Development of Personality. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 2014. Print.