Biculturalism and navigating life between cultures
What does this really mean and how do you define biculturalism?
Biculturalism implies the existence of two distinct cultural groups, usually of unequal status and power, within a society.
Perhaps this fits your experience. Maybe you know someone who is bicultural. Or maybe you are just curious and wonder what it is like to simultaneously live in more than one world.
I write more about this here , but let me share an example of a personal experience of biculturism:
As a non-Greek toddler, growing up on a remote Greek island I quickly learned what to tell my mother about the treats offered to me by the fishermen who babysat me in the local café, while she ran errands; sugar was not allowed but sugar was consumed, just labeled as a healthy bread snack. It was at a very young age I realized I lived in a world where two very different points of view on life co-existed and not always harmoniously I may add. Two very distinct ways of communicating about these differences early on generated the question, “who am I and where do I actually belong?”.
One of the most commonly asked questions is “Do I have to choose one culture or another?”.
Why is this asked so frequently? Because typically biculturals will experience conflicting customs, values and behaviors within their two cultures.
A wonderful example speaking to how confusing this can all be comes from Joe Lurie, author of Perception and Deception, during a conversation about fostering intercultural understanding.
“Wildly contrasting values across cultures are symbolized by the cow I chose for the book cover. Does the cow represent: Dowry? Divine? or Dinner? For the Masai and many other ethnic groups in Africa and some other parts of the world, the cow is a “dowry,” a show of wealth. Among Hindus, the cow is considered “divine,” so sacred that it’s often cared for in old age and eating beef is forbidden. How strange this taboo appears to many meat-eaters around the world who associate the cow with hamburgers, steak or ribs – a divine “dinner.” But for many Hindus consuming a holy cow for dinner would be a disgrace.”
Body language, sayings and expressions can lead to intercultural miscommunication. When this occurs it is frequently followed by a communication breakdown. Interpretations of attitudes and behaviors can be vastly contradictory, leading to confusion and discomfort.
Even between people who speak the same language. Simply because their cultural background may interpret things differently.
We all have our own cultural home, a place where we belong, where we feel safe, where we honor our own authenticity. Where we show up with integrity in our family, personal and professional relationships, in our community. My coaching work centers around helping biculturals identify and nurture all aspects of their own unique cultural home.
When discussing life as a bicultural person I refer to “All the Cs” with a goal of getting to a place where we can begin to visualize what building out our own unique cultural home might look like.
Understanding: Confronting, Comparisons, Challenges / Shifting to: Cognition, Coherence, Claiming
Let’s take a closer look at these terms, the energy they carry and the interpretations associated with them.
“Culture” is a word tossed around on a daily basis in every environment you can possibly think of. Workplace culture, community culture, family, school, etc.
The term culture has many definitions and one that resonates for the purpose of our context today is the following:
“Culture: The characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time”.
Understanding: Confronting, Comparisons, Challenges
This first grouping is comprised of terms that carry a heavy tone.
Confronting is exhibiting a behavior that causes feelings of intimidation, distress or upset.
Comparisons refer to the dissimilarities in behaviors, practices, language, expression, and tradition in groups of people coming from different backgrounds (cultures). Dichotomy and power struggle can easily surface as each group may tend to follow the belief that their perspective is the accurate one.
Challenges are issues or problems requiring resolution. Usually not visible at first. You need to make choices or decisions. In this context it relates to the differences in ways of being across cultures.
Shifting to: Cognition, Coherence, Claiming
This second grouping is comprised of terms that promote an existence where one goes through the process of identifying and claiming their truth.
Cognition is about the mental action, or process, of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Coherence is the quality of forming a unified whole.
Claiming is all about asserting your choice, your truth, what speaks to you.
“Do I really have to choose a singular identity?”
At the end of the day it is about exactly that. Claiming what speaks to you.
Perhaps it is a combination of your two cultures. Maybe one has a stronger presence than the other. Culture can, and will influence how you experience every day life. It is so important to show up in a way that makes you feel whole and not different parts of two, or more.
Do you have questions about coaching, or are you curious and want to wet your feet? Book a 30 minute complimentary session with me to chat or reach out with questions here.
