In what sense is violence seen as a cultural and social phenomena?
http://uga.edu/soc/prospective/areas_of_specialization.php
http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/pedro6.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminology
Violence is commonly understood as a cultural and social phenomenon because it is shaped by and embedded within a society's beliefs, norms, values, and practices. It is important to explore this topic from multiple perspectives, including sociological, anthropological, and historical lenses.
To understand violence as a cultural and social phenomena, you can follow these steps:
1. Define violence: Start by understanding the different forms and manifestations of violence, such as physical, psychological, structural, or symbolic violence. This will help create a foundation for further analysis.
2. Identify cultural factors: Cultures play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards violence. Analyze cultural values, traditions, rituals, and customs that may either promote or discourage violence within a specific society. Consider factors like gender roles, socioeconomic conditions, political systems, and religious beliefs that may influence violence.
3. Examine social structures: Violence is often linked to power structures and social inequalities. Investigate how social hierarchies, discrimination, and marginalization contribute to the occurrence and perpetuation of violence.
4. Study historical contexts: Violence is influenced by historical processes and events. Explore historical contexts to understand how violence has evolved over time within a culture or society. Look for patterns, conflicts, and historical trauma that might have shaped current attitudes towards violence.
5. Analyze media and popular culture: Media and popular culture can both reflect and shape societal attitudes towards violence. Consider how violence is portrayed, justified, or criticized in literature, movies, music, video games, and other forms of media. Evaluate the potential impact of media on shaping cultural and social norms related to violence.
6. Engage with empirical research: Review academic research, case studies, and surveys conducted by scholars to gain insights into specific societies or cultural groups. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to understand the prevalence, causes, consequences, and perceptions of violence within different cultural and social contexts.
By following these steps and delving into these various factors, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of violence as a cultural and social phenomena. It is essential to approach this topic with sensitivity, critical thinking, and an interdisciplinary perspective to appreciate its complexities.