Intro to Culture
Geography: Edexcel A Level, topic 11.2.1
Introduction to Culture
Cultures becoming more closely intertwined is a consequence of migration and globalisation. Some key terms are:
Culture and diversity
- Culture is a system of shared beliefs, values and traditions (e.g. behaviour, dress, art, music, language, food and religion).
- Migration can lead to greater cultural and ethnic diversity in many countries. Assimilation of migrants into the home population can lead to an evolving culture, inter-marriage and increased social mixing.
Ethnicity
- Ethnicity relates to groups of people who share a common ancestry. Ethnicity is often based on race.
- A person's race is based on the physical and genetic characteristics of that person.
Segregation
- Segregation is where people of different ethnicities and cultures live grouped together in their own clusters.
- Segregation tends to be more concentrated in large urban areas. Banlieues in Paris are suburbs. Generally, the same racial groups & cultures group in banlieues.
- Places of worship, dietary requirements and shops are ways that cultural and ethnic differences can remain.
Assimilation
- Assimilation describes the eventual adoption of the cultural traits belonging to a host or majority community by a migrant or minority community. Rates of assimilation vary across different countries.
- In London, council estates are spread across the city rather than grouped in one area. This aims to improve assimilation.
Test yourself on Intro to Culture
How are the council estates in London grouped to improve assimilation?