Overview of Global Cultural Frameworks
A global cultural framework is a system that shapes the way people think, behave, feel, and perceive things. It consists of shared beliefs, values, norms, customs, and practices. These can be influenced by social class, ethnicity, religion, nationality, geographic location, age, gender, education level, etc. They determine what is considered appropriate and desirable behavior for individuals and groups in various contexts.
The unipolar model is one type of global cultural framework. It views all cultures as equally valid but hierarchically arranged. This means that some are better than others because they promote certain behaviors.
Western culture promotes democracy, human rights, science, technology, individualism, consumerism, etc. Unipolar frameworks also tend to view other cultures from an imperialist perspective, assuming them inferior or deficient.
In terms of sex, sexuality, intimacy, and relationships, unipolar models emphasize monogamy, heterosexuality, romance, marriage, family, procreation, and reproduction. Any deviation from these norms is often viewed negatively and pathologized. This has led to the persistence of religious sexual norms across many cultures.
Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism have strict rules about premarital sex, homosexuality, adultery, divorce, contraception, abortion, etc.
Influence on Sexual Norms
Unipolar cultural frameworks influence sexual norms through several mechanisms. One is cultural diffusion, where ideas spread from one place to another via mass media, education, travel, migration, trade, colonization, imperialism, etc. Another mechanism is hegemony, where dominant cultures impose their values on subordinate ones through force or persuasion.
Western powers imposed their morality on African countries during colonial times, resulting in harsh laws against homosexuality and prostitution.
Religious fundamentalists also use unipolar global cultural frameworks to justify their beliefs. They believe that God's will is absolute truth and must be obeyed regardless of context or consequences. This leads to oppression of women, LGBTQ+ people, and anyone who challenges traditional roles and expectations. Unipolar frameworks can also reinforce gender stereotypes, such as men being aggressive providers and women being passive caregivers.
Possible Alternatives
Alternative models include bipolar, pluralist, and multicultural. Bipolar models view all cultures as equal but oppositional; they value diversity and acceptance. Pluralist models recognize multiple worldviews without hierarchy, allowing for individual choice and autonomy. Multicultural models promote respectful exchange between different perspectives while acknowledging power dynamics.
These approaches have the potential to challenge religious sexual norms by valuing personal freedom and consent over tradition and authority.
They may face resistance due to fear of cultural decay, loss of identity, or economic pressures. It's crucial to promote inclusivity, dialogue, and justice to create a more equitable society for everyone.
How do unipolar global cultural frameworks influence the persistence of religious sexual norms on intimate behavior?
Although it is difficult to define "unipolar cultural framework," we will assume that this refers to an environment where one culture dominates. In such settings, religious norms often become ingrained as part of the dominant culture's social fabric and are passed down through generations. The result can be that sexual norms within these cultures become entrenched, making them resistant to change over time.