Writing Feedback / GRE ISSUE 207:Rituals and ceremonies help define a culture. Without them, societies [NEW]

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The speaker asserts that rituals and ceremonies help define a culture and it is the only way to preserve culture identity. It has merit from a normative standpoint, and I agree insofar as ritual and ceremonies is certainly a important means of preserving culture. However, the assertion is indefensible. This is not their sole purpose; nor are rituals and ceremonies the only means of preserving culture identity.

True, the speaker's assertion that rituals and ceremonies help define a culture is quite compelling, for the reason that rituals and ceremonies is part-and-parcel of culture. A telling example involves that Japan, although a modernized and developed country, cling tenaciously to their rituals and ceremonies which rooted in oriental traditional culture. To promote understanding, and therefore the transmission across generation of these culture properties, such as kabuki, a classical Japanese dace drama, used to perform before the Imperial Count as ritual, exhibitions and workshops are organized to educate future generations. Their preservation demonstrates a recognition of the necessity of the past, of the things that tell its story, of a better world with great tolerance of differing values points and people who are different from ourselves. Secondly, ritual and ceremonies are vital parts as expected in identity preservation, as ink is to a pen or wheels are to a car. Were it removed ,the minor culture risks total assimilation and loss of identity.

Beyond this concession, however, I disagree with the statement because it seems to recommend that the rituals and ceremonies is the only means to preserve cultural identity. Consider, for example, The Unite States, where the population is ethnically diverse and social unity is based primarily on common values and beliefs. Some kinds of cultural identity may result of various conditions including location, gender, race, language and religious beliefs. Furthermore, in the era of technology, cultural identity may be defined by social network of people imitating and following the social norms as presented by the media. The second important reason why I disagree with the statement is that the purpose of ritual and ceremonies is not sole for the cultural identity. For example, many shrines in Japan offer purification rituals to ward off ill fortune for people passing through those unlucky years.

In sum, I concede that rituals and ceremonies help define a culture. Nevertheless, they also serve as a purification function. Moreover, to some extent, the speaker's claim overrates the importance of preserving cultural identity

Writing Feedback / The future of our society is partly depended on the socialization of our children [NEW]

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p.s. some of sentences refer to kevin's answer.

The speaker asserts that how we socialize children determined the future of society. It has merits from a normative standpoint, and I agree insofar as the future of our society is partly depended on the socialization of our children. However, the assertion is indefensible. The better future of society is rely on multiple efforts, including socialize children. Otherwise, socialization only might defeat its own purpose in the long term.

True, the speaker's assertion that how children socialize plays a important role in raising children, for the reasons below. First, indisputably, human existence is social existence. From the very moments of life, children begin a process of socialization. In this process, children learn how to talk, interact with others, share, manage frustrations, live up to expectations and the culture values and norms, In fact, our sense of individual identity, our sense depends on the primitive stage of socialization. The importance of social experiences is evident in the socially isolated children. If early childhood is devoid of social experience, he or she may fail to develop normal language skills leading to limitation in other social learning.

Secondly, socialization helps shape and define our thoughts, feelings, and actions, provides us with a model for our behavior, teaches us the cultural values and norms that guidelines our everyday life .As children become socialized, they learn how to fit into and function as productive members of human society. In short, children socialization is a vital part, as expected in determining the destiny of society, as ink is to a pen or wheels are to a car. It beneficial on both the development of individuals and the stability of society.

Beyond this concession, however, I disagree with the statement because it seems to overweigh socialization than any other factors on the society development. Consider Mother Teresa, ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned and dying for over 45 years , received numerous honor including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. Her contribution was primarily the result of strong religious upbringing, which had more to do with the influence of her mother and family. Kant, the one who changed the framework within which philosophical inquiry has carried out, was a introverted person who never traveled more than ten miles from his work place. A more compelling example is Albert Einstein, who remained a reluctant talker for quite some years, and, until the age of about seven, used to repeat his sentences to himself softly, a habit which contributed to the impression he might be somewhat dull.

In sum, the speaker's assertion that the society's destiny hinges on how children are socialized flies in the face of innumerous illustrations of the contributed persons. The effects of education are too complex to be predicted, and this complexity is due to the very nature of the developmental process of things. Further, complexity and uncertainty are inherent in human society; therefore, the way children were socialized may not be very crucial in terms of one's growing into a useful or valuable person.