Domine David A.

Paglinawan 9/25/14
N22 SOCS001

English Culture and Deviance

England is a country steeped in cultural tradition as well as sociological diversity.
A melting pot of old and new, of foreign and homegrown, English culture is as beautiful
to observe as it is a joy to study. When one takes a closer look at how the English live
their lives and interact with one another, it can be seen that the multitude of behavioral
patterns that define English life can be classified into any of the six characteristics of
culture: dynamic, whole, diverse, cumulative, shared, and learned. This paper will
provide a cultural analysis of English cultural practices and behavioral patterns using
the aforementioned characteristics of culture in general, as well as provide an
introspective into the various deviant behaviors that uniquely thrive within English
society.

The dynamism and diversity of English culture has manifested in various
instances throughout history, which provides us with a plethora of examples on how
English culture adjusts and adapts to the rapidly changing times. In todays world,
English culture has picked up on the various contemporary cultural practices of other
countries in the world, which the English then adjust in order to create a cultural
element that is uniquely their own. When it comes to fashion, for instance, gone are the
days when women wore Victorian long gowns with metal skirts underneath on a day to
day basis. Developments and advancements in the world of fashion have been absorbed
by the English through the years, which is why the women of England today wear more
contemporary outfits, such as printed shirts and short skirts, with various regional styles
therein. The same goes for cuisine, wherein the influences of neighboring European
countries such as France, Spain, and Italy have significantly shaped the field of English
food and drink, and music, wherein the emergence of new musical genres and trends in
the United States of America and other states find their way into the way of life of the
people of England, which is why dubstep as a genre is fast becoming an important
element of the culture of todays English youth.

In spite of these changes, historical elements of the way of life of the English are
still preserved to this day, which proves that English culture is also cumulative. A good
example would be the preservation of the monarchial system of government, albeit
slightly modified in order to be constitutional. The monarchy itself is a very powerful
symbol of the cumulativeness of English culture, with the royal family still be treated as
important entities even if they dont hold as much political and authoritative power as
they used to.

Respect for the Queen of England, along with the continued drinking of tea and
national love for the sport of football/soccer, can also be considered to be learned
elements of English culture. At a young age, English youths are indoctrinated to
continue the practice of tea drinking in the afternoon, to pay homage and respect to a
monarch that has no other purpose than to be ceremonial symbols of the state, and to
live and breathe football. These behaviors are passed on specifically to the future
inheritors of the English nation, because the people of England believe that to these
things define what it means to be English.

Therefore, it is safe to say that English culture is also whole and shared, since
these common characteristics bind the numerous ethnicities and subgroups, with their
own subcultures, that exist within the borders of England. No matter where you are in
England, no matter who you talk to, these shared cultural practices conglomerate the
English into a people united in their behavioral patterns.

Sociological deviance, on the other hand, also exists within English culture in all
its forms. Ritualism manifests in the form of celebrating antiquated holidays and their
accompanying practices even without completely understanding the reason behind the
celebration of these events, such as the commemoration of St. Patricks Day just for the
purpose of drinking large amounts of liquor. Retreatism can be seen when English men
and women choose to spend their days in pubs drinking their lives away rather than
actively looking for employment.

Deviant innovation occurs within major urban areas such as London, where
thieves and muggers devise more and more ingenious ways of developing their illegal
craft. From using fake babies to pretending to be a lost tourist, robbers are honing their
craft via deviance. Lastly, rebellion at its worst happens when football fans are overcome
with emotion during highly contentious matches. They resort to hooliganism and
violence, even if these things are totally unnecessary.

All in all, English culture truly exemplifies what a culture is like, complete with
positive and negative aspects, but interesting to study all the same.