Exploring the Impact of Cultural Values from Family and Religion

Cultural values are the principles and ideals upon which an entire community exists. This is made up of several parts, such as customs, traditions, rituals, values, and beliefs.

First of all, I would like to define "values". Values are a feature of every culture. According to Macionis, values are "culturally defined standards of desirability, goodness, and beauty that serve as broad guidelines for social living." The keyword in any cultural value is "guidelines." In other words, values help how one should behave. For example, in Korean, Indian, and Muslim cultures, the elderly are highly respected and revered. They are even sought out for advice and counsel, while in the United States the emphasis is on youth. 

1. INTERPRETATION OF CULTURAL VALUES THROUGH FAMILY AND RELIGION

Family is an important part of every society and culture. Noller and Fitzpatrick define family as "a group of intimates, who generate a sense of home and group identity, complete with strong ties of loyalty and emotion, and an experience of history and a future." 

There are two types of family, the first is nuclear and the second is an extended family. A nuclear family includes parents or parents and a child or children only, but an extended family includes "grandparents and Relatives". Nuclear families are "two-generation families," and it is the most typical pattern found in North America. The nuclear family manifests many of the values of a culture. For example, the nuclear family is usually characterized by a great deal of geographic mobility, which is a trait found in American culture ever since the founding of the country. Cultural values of the nuclear family can be seen in child-rearing practices.

According to Triandis "there is less regimentation and less emphasis on obedience, while exploration and creativity are encouraged." American cultural values toward the elderly are likewise replicated in nuclear families. In these families, older members of the family do not normally spend their twilight years in the homes of their children, rather they live in "Retirement communities and nursing homes. It offers the services. It is considered that taking aged parents into one’s home is commonly regarded as an economic burden and a threat to the household’s privacy and independence. "

Extended families are commonly found in developing and undeveloped nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. It consists of more than just parents and children. They include children, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even godparents. This type of family insists on obedience and organized rules than nuclear families. Extended families teach culture and provide with the foundation of self-concept and communication competencies. An example of an extended family is the Pakistani family in which we can observe a long chain of relatives. 

A family instructs us what to wear? For example, Pakistani families teach their children to wear "Shalwar" and "Kameez" and this pattern of dressing is unique to Pakistan and it is a part of Pakistani culture. What should I say? This question is related to language. Pakistani families teach their children Urdu, despite the fact that many languages are spoken there. Urdu is Pakistan's national language. Family instructs us about how one should behave in society. For example, in Pakistani society, there are norms and principles to behave with elders and there are norms that young people have to respect elders no matter if they are wrong. Moreover, gender roles are also designed by society. Pakistani society is a male-dominant society in which men are given more importance and women are given less importance. 

Now I’m going to discuss cultural values through religion. "The word religion is derived from the Latin word religare, which means to tie ’and the obvious implication is that a religion ties people to what is sacred and religious. Religious traditions provide structure, discipline, and social participation in a community. 

What is intriguing about religion is that it links people together while creating and preserving their cultural values. Religion's most enduring aspect has been its attempt to address questions about mortality and immortality, suffering, and the origins of the universe, as well as the links it provides to its followers for guidance and counsel.

Pakistan is a Muslim country. Islam is a religion of Muslims in Pakistan. There are many values that Muslims follow from the Quran, the sacred book of Muslims. Religion is an inner part of every culture. We withdraw values and these values are a part of the culture. For example, Islamic values are respected for women, equality, Brotherhood. 

The Quran gives us complete instructions about life. It teaches about every subject, including politics, economics, and social issues. Religion also designs our worldview. It gives us a code of life, what is the purpose of life, how to live, what will happen after death. For example, according to the religion of Islam, there is a definite purpose of life and that purpose is to obey the commandments of Allah and Prophet Muhammad. 

Another view is after death there would be a final Judgment on that basis Muslims would send to either Jannah or in Jahannam. This is a worldview of Muslims and it is unique to Muslims. So, religion provides a worldview and each culture has a different worldview.

2. VALUES, CUSTOMS, AND TRADITIONS OF PAKISTANI CULTURE

Pakistani culture is a part of Islamic civilization which draws its value and traditions from Islam and Islamic history. The majority population of Pakistan comprises Muslims and follows the teachings of Islam and these teachings are mentioned below:

1. Belief in one Allah 
2. Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad P.B.U.H,
3. Brotherhood 
4. Equality and social justice etc 
5. Peace and patience.

Social values are an integral part of Pakistani culture. The inhabitants of four provinces and other areas believe in noble social values. The elderly are highly respected and the younger people take advice from them. In order to eradicate poverty, Zakat is provided to the poor people. 

People participate in the pleasures and sorrows of one another.  Females enjoy equal rights and possess respectable status in Muslim society. They have an equal right to purchase and sell the property. In urban areas of Pakistan, women work in offices, factories, and educational institutions, while in rural areas, women work in the fields with men.

Ø  THERE ARE THE FOLLOWING VALUES OF PAKISTANI CULTURE:

·         Honor (Izzat)

·         Patriotism

·         Respect

·         Dignity

·         Collectivism

·         Faith

·         Generosity

Ø  RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS OF PAKISTAN

·         Ramadan                                      

·         Chand Rat 

·         Eid-ul-Fitr 

·         Eid-ul-Adha 

·         Milad-un-Nabi

·         Muharram

·         Shab-e-Barat

·         Shab-e-Qadr

·         Shab-e-Miraj

Ø  TRADITIONS OF PAKISTANI CULTURE

Traditions are the transmission of customs or beliefs from one generation to another generation and it is a long-established custom or belief that has been passed from one generation to another. 

Ø  TRADITION OF MARRIAGE 

Marriage is our religious obligation. On the marriage day, there is a Hina ceremony and a meal is arranged from the bride's home, and the next day, there is a William ceremony from the bridegroom.

Ø  BIRTH OF CHILD 

It is a tradition that after the birth of a child, Azan is given in the ear of the newly born child, and gifts are also given to the newly born child. There is also an Aqeeqa Ceremony on the birth of a child in Muslim society. 

Ø  FUNERAL RITES  

After the death of a person, relatives, and friends start gathering in that person's home. Following that, they bathe both the dead body and the shroud. After there is a funeral prayer, the body is buried in the cemetery. The Quran is recited for the deceased.