Zhang 6zichen Zhangead II Section 4 Paper 4 Final Draft

Zhang 6zichen Zhangead Ii Section 4paper 4 Final Draftqisi Zhang4241

Summarize each of your sources. Summary of your source for Part I (include one to two paragraphs). Enter the summary in the space below. Cultural Anthropology This article describes the different cultural views of people in the society on rites of passage rituals and practice.

Crapo establishes that there are cultures that have life-marking events of all rites of passage stages that are, birth, adulthood, marriage, eldership and ancestry (Crapo, 2013). When most cultures celebrate the first three rituals, others do not celebrate the last two. They do not believe that elders should undergo any other rituals or even be celebrated once they are dead. Contrary to these other communities support the practice of the rituals for eldership and ancestry rite of passage. The transition from adulthood to elderly and to death thereby being an ancestor is natural (Crapo, 2013).

Since they are natural as the other rites of passage, then they should be accorded the same importance and be practiced. Rituals are very important in every society and any society without them has no human social existence. There is great diversity in people's beliefs based on environmental, technological and social differences which help them to choose how to practice the various rituals. There are universal aspects that define rites of passage such as the ritual behavior, belief in life after death and belief in transition through all the stages of life together with the importance of the people in the society. These ritual behaviors function to bring the community together, establish the various life stages and their importance and the importance of celebration of life activities.

Reference Crapo, R. H. (2013). Cultural Anthropology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education

Paper For Above instruction

This paper explores the influence of societal beliefs, particularly super-replicators and surrogates, on individual identities and happiness within cultural contexts. Drawing on Daniel Gilbert’s theories, it examines how certain ideas are transmitted and upheld through societal mechanisms, shaping perceptions about ethnicity, race, and social roles. The analysis emphasizes that these culturally embedded ideas, while fostering social cohesion, can also impose limitations on individual freedom and happiness, especially among immigrant and minority groups.

Super-replicators are cultural elements that are easily transmitted across generations, reinforcing shared beliefs and practices. Surrogates facilitate this transmission, acting as agents—such as family members, educational systems, and media—that embed these ideas into societal consciousness. Gilbert’s concepts illuminate how societal frameworks perpetuate stereotypes and norms, influencing individual self-perception and societal roles.

This study analyzes two literary works: Wesley Yang’s “Paper Tiger” and Manuel Munoz’s “Leave Your Name at the Border.” Both narratives depict the impact of societal stereotypes and cultural expectations on personal identity. Yang’s essay discusses ethnic identity among Asian Americans, highlighting how societal stereotypes about intelligence and success serve as super-replicators, shaping self-image and aspirations. Similarly, Munoz’s reflections on Mexican immigrants exemplify how language and naming conventions act as surrogates, influencing how individuals see themselves and are perceived by others.

In the context of American society, these cultural ideas serve as super-replicators that often limit individual expression and reinforce stereotypes. For example, the stereotype that Asians are inherently smarter and Mexicans are illegal or uneducated functions as a societal meme, transmitted through surrogates like family, community, and media. These ideas impact the social opportunities and perceptions of these groups, often constraining their pursuit of happiness and personal growth.

The role of surrogates extends beyond family and community; media and institutional practices further embed societal stereotypes. For instance, the document cites that Asian parents predominantly pursue careers in medicine, law, or engineering—beliefs transmitted through familial surrogates—while Mexican communities face negative stereotypes associated with illegality, affecting their social interactions and self-esteem.

Gilbert’s concept of self-replicators offers a lens to understand how societal ideas can undermine individualism, which is crucial for personal happiness. When societal narratives become rigid or overly negative, they can diminish self-worth and restrict authentic identity formation. Immigrants, especially, experience identity crises due to conflicting societal messages and cultural expectations, which may hinder their pursuit of happiness.

However, these societal beliefs are not immutable. Yang’s rejection of filial piety and academic pressure exemplifies how individuals can challenge dominant super-replicators. Such resistance can foster a more inclusive understanding of identity, promoting personal happiness by breaking free from stereotypical molds. Therefore, awareness and critical engagement with societal surrogates and super-replicators are vital for fostering individual well-being.

In conclusion, Gilbert’s theory of idea transmission via super-replicators and surrogates provides valuable insight into the societal forces shaping individual identities. While these mechanisms reinforce social cohesion, they also pose barriers to authentic self-expression and happiness, particularly among marginalized groups. Recognizing and challenging these societal narratives is essential for creating a more inclusive society that values individualism and promotes overall well-being.

References

• Crapo, R. H. (2013). Cultural Anthropology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education
• Serei, C. (1972). African Rites of Passage. Thought, 47(2). https://doi.org/10.5840/thought
• Tsuji, Y. (2011). Rites of passage to death and afterlife in Japan. Generations, 35(3), 28-33. Retrieved from EBSCOhost
• Gilbert, D. (2013). Reporting Live from Tomorrow. In B. Barrios (Ed.), Emerging: Contemporary Reading for Writers (2nd ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Yang, W. (2013). Paper Tigers. In B. Barrios (Ed.), Emerging: Contemporary Reading for Writers (2nd ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Munoz, M. (2013). Leave Your Name at the Border. In B. Barrios (Ed.), Emerging: Contemporary Reading for Writers (2nd ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Crapo, R. H. (2013). Cultural Anthropology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education
• Additional scholarly source on cultural stereotypes and identity (example: Smith, J. (2018). Cultural stereotypes and identity formation. Journal of Cultural Studies, 25(3), 245-260.)
• Additional scholarly source on immigrant identity challenges (example: Lee, A. (2020). Navigating immigrant identities in American society. Journal of Sociology, 36(4), 321–340.)
• Additional scholarly source analyzing surrogates in cultural transmission (example: Brown, P. (2019). Surrogates and storytelling: Cultural transmission in modern societies. Anthropology Review, 22(1), 15-30.)