2: Enculturation

• Enculturation is the learning and maintenance of the behaviours and norms of one’s own culture
• When discussing this topic - Gatekeepers are those who make decisions, have experience, and influence over another person or culture
• Babies are not born with a culture, it is Gatekeepers like their parents, school, the media they watch growing up, interactions with their peers, etc that help them develop their CULTURAL IDENTITY.
• Enculturation is not a finite process, and continues to happen throughout our lives. It is a constant process that reinforces one’s cultural identity.

Specific Enculturation Terms:

• Values Enculturation: Values enculturation is the effect of enculturation of our behaviours and our preferences - This could be one’s musical preference, their personality, their willingness to participate in community / cultural traditions and rituals, foods they like, etc.
• Values enculturation also talks about morals and beliefs - This could be their perspective and stance on certain issues - Such as gender equality and roles, the LGBTQIA, health and illness, and how a social relationship should be
• Enculturation also occurs through direct tuition , or when your parents and other gatekeepers tell you what you’re supposed to do, how to act, and more. Social Cognitive Theory also plays a role in Enculturation, through the incorporation of the fact that Children learn a lot about their culture through observational and participatory learning. They will then continue to take their learning about their culture forward and apply that learning in a variety of other situations.