The cultural phenomena are the body of knowledge, myths, taboos and beliefs that different social groups share.
The concept can also refer to a kind of carry-over effect, when certain individuals behave in a certain way simply because other individuals do too, or because something or someone gains popularity. This includes everything from movies to clothing styles.
In any case, this concept is related to the definition of culture. This word derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin colere, which means to cultivate.
Culture consists of the series of shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructions and understanding that are learned through socialization.
Examples of cultural phenomena
Globalization
At present, globalization is one of the cultural phenomena with the greatest impact in all areas of human endeavor.
This has emerged as a new paradigm to describe the way in which different societies can relate to each other.
Globalization has made possible the interconnection of almost all the peoples on the face of the earth. But it is now not only possible to share consumer goods, but also the values that make up each culture.
On the other hand, this phenomenon arises thanks to the technological revolution and the social dimensions of modernity.
It is expected that this will result in the promotion of an authentic development in, at least, the areas of economy, politics and culture (understood as the shared idea of society about the good and morality).
The Beatles
In the 1960s, the musical group known as the Beatles became one of the greatest cultural and social phenomena in history.
The group enjoyed unprecedented popularity among audiences around the world, which was closely linked to the social and cultural context of those years.
For example, for the United States of America it was a turbulent and disorderly period in politics, culture and at the social level. Among the events raised are the death of President John F. Kennedy and the participation of that country in the Vietnam War.
These events instilled a spirit of anger, rebellion, and questioning of prevailing social norms among the youth.
This was reflected in the way they dressed and in their preferences for music. Thus, The Beatles managed to connect with the spirit of that time.
Tattoos
The art of tattoos as a form of expression dates back to ancient Egypt and India. These became popular with sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Captain Cook, a Pacific explorer in the 18th century, used to take artists and scientists on trips to the Pacific Islands.
There, indigenous populations decorated the body using a bone needle to push the natural dye into the skin. Today, tattooing methods have advanced, being now more hygienic and more precise.
On the other hand, although in the past tattooed people were stigmatized, today this form of body expression has gained followers worldwide.
Specifically, in the last decade the number of people tattooing their bodies has grown exponentially.
It is not just about rebellious teenagers, but about middle-class working men and women, celebrities, athletes, teachers, among others.
References
- Lizana Ibáñez, F. (2007). Cultural analysis, national challenges and globalization. San José, Costa Rica: EUNED.
- What is a Cultural Phenomenon? (2017, September 10). In Columbus State Library. Retrieved on October 7, 2017, from library.cscc.edu.
- Zimmermann, KA (2017, July 12). What is Culture? In Live Science. Retrieved on October 7, 2017, from livescience.com
- Sirico, RA (2010, July 20). The phenomenon of globalization. Religion & Liberty: Volume 12, No. 5.
- Gangwar, N. (2014, October 10). The Beatles-As a Cultural Phenomenon in 1960's America. In Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Department of History. Retrieved on October 7, 2017, from lsrhistory.wordpress.com.
- Tatera, K. (2014, September 15). How the Evolution of Tattoos Has Become Acceptable Fashion. In Millennial Magazine. Retrieved on October 7, 2017, from millennialmagazine.com.