The Italian Social Structure's Role in Creating Culture

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The Italian Social Structure's Role in Creating Culture Anthropologists and other social scientists define human culture as learned behavior acquired by individuals as members of a social group. The concept of culture was first explicitly defined in 1871 by the British anthropologist Edward B. Tylor. He used the term to refer to " that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." Since then anthropologists have offered numerous refinements and variations on this definition, but all have agreed that culture is learned behavior in contrast to genetically endowed behavior. From antiquity to modern times, Italy has played a central role in world culture. Italians have contributed some of the world's most admired sculpture, architecture, painting, literature, and music, particularly opera. Although the nation was politically unified less than 150 years ago, the Italians do not consider themselves to be a "new" people, but see themselves instead as the descendants of the Ancient Romans. Moreover, regional differences persist because of natural geographical boundaries and the disparate cultural heritage that has come down from the Greeks, Etruscans, Arabs, Normans, and Lombards. Regional differences is evident in persistent local dialects, holidays, festivals, songs, and regional cuisine. Central to all Italian life is the tradition of family as the guiding force and focus of loyalty. Many Sunday's are spent around the table with aunts, uncles and grandparents for a special dinner. In Italy the social structure of the rural village was founded on the family, whose interests a... ... middle of paper ... ...t includes Italian designers names such as Gucci and Versaci. Opera, a popular art from Italy, was popular with the immigrants as well, and unlike the music halls, it generated an appeal far beyond the Italian community. From the 1880's, when the Metropolitan Opera House opened in New York with Cleofante Capanini as it's first conductor and director, until today, the Italians have been prominent in opera in the United States and else where in the world. The Italians are 99.6% Roman Catholic, although only about one -third of them attended mass regularly and only about one-tenth of them received the sacraments at Easter. In conclusion, the Italian's social structure of family, cuisine, native costume and dress, music, and religion all play a part in creating a specific culture that allows them to express their learned behaviors in a society as a whole.

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