Learning About Cultures in the Classroom

The value of learning about other cultures in the classroom is often overlooked by students, however it is an extremely relevant topic in today's society. Ethnocentrism is when people judge another culture purely by the values and standards of their own, which causes great conflict. By studying other cultures in the classroom, students are exposed to those belief systems and are given the opportunity where they can analyze those cultures without the bias of their own, in the hopes that they will develop not only a better understanding of other cultures but also a better appreciation. In the movie Babies, it documents the first year of life for four babies, all from different places around the world. With child rearing always being a hot topic, where every person with and without children have an opinion, often times people compare and judge the raising of children in other cultures. This movie educates people on how the differences in the cultures and ways of raising the children have no affect on the children as a whole. They all grow up healthy and happy, reaching the same milestones around the same time. Watching movies like these in the classroom and outside the classroom helps students and people in general understand that cultural differences should not be treated as a divide and that the same things are accomplished. Studying culture in the classroom allows people to develop a better understanding and appreciation for other cultures.