Topic > Cultural Influences on Adolescence - 1197

It can also influence how they perceive themselves, who they call friends, their behavior, and social connections among family, friends, and peers. A child learns everything he can know first from the ways of his home life and from the relationships built by his parents. They learn what is socially right from what (moral/ethical) and carry that idea with them into adolescence. Culture is learned and shared socially and can influence all aspects of an individual's life. Social responsibilities, sexual expression, and belief system development all vary by culture. The way a child dresses, where he works, the way he speaks can be influenced by youth culture. Without a particular culture, a child cannot have a belief system to believe in and be taught about good and evil (Sawnson, 2010). For example: Jamaican families teach children to grow up independent and strong, however in a Japanese family they may tend to raise their children with pride. So Jamaican and Japanese families may be culturally seen as selfish as they look to other cultures and think they are too shy. It can also generate a sense of cultural confusion. Adolescents from a culture that is not well integrated may have difficulty understanding their own