Why the face?

When we begin to teach about culture in elementary school we do so by most simply defining culture as "a people's way of life or the way groups do things". As we build our language we start to identify rituals, routines, myths, beliefs, behaviors, institutions, values, morals, policies, procedures, arts, foods, customs, etc... I want us to use the more basic definition here because it is good entry point for creating common expressive language for thinking about the relationship between SEL and culture. 

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Let's start by recognizing that these six domains interact with individualistic and collectivist cultures. The "Self" domains - Self-awareness, Self-management, Self-efficacy support a person deepening a relationship with themselves through recognizing and understanding emotions, thoughts, and feelings. I think, by now, it is safe to say that there is ample evidence of the significance of these skills in relation to self-care and general health and well-being for an individual. In addition there is also an overwhelming advantage these skills provide a young person when preparing for and entering college and or career. (please see the SEL & Career/College Readiness Page.)

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The same is true for the "Social" domains. Social Awareness, Social Management, Social Engagement, provide opportunities for students to gain skills in supporting the well being of others. Societies cannot function and flourish without members who have tremendous skill in these areas. And, just like with the self-domains, competence in the social domains enhances the quality of relationships and increases the protective factors of a community and a people. This also promotes self-care and general health and well-being. Also, there is evidence that these skills critical for entering college and or career. (please see the SEL & Career/College Readiness Page.)

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I can not think of a situation in which people interact and are void of feeling or thought. Emotions matter, because there is emotion information in everything humans do. In the same way, I can not think of a situation in which culture does not play a role in shaping how, and with whom, people feel and express emotions. Wether we choose to recognize emotions and culture is another story, however, there is no denying they are ubiquitous to the human experience. However, though there is no biological difference in the emotions of one group of people there is tremendous difference in how emotions, feelings, and thoughts are recognized, understood, interpreted, managed, and expressed. This is the why and how the same emotions can be promoted or discouraged differently across cultures. Take the idea of race. We know that race isn't really real; it was made-up, it was a social construct, designed and adapted for nefarious intention. Okay so today, race certainly exists culturally. There is no biological difference between black anger and white anger, but consider how the expression of black anger and white anger are interpreted and felt. That's a big deal. (Consider the role culture plays regarding the expressions of emotion for women and men. BOOM! Big Time Feelings there for sure!)

 

It has been my experience that the following sequence is very supportive to helping students access learning about culture using an SEL lens. (And, as you'll see in a minute, revisiting SEL with a cultural lens). Start with Self-awareness. The reason for this is that our nation has a wonderful history supporting some cultures and a legacy of total brutality in suppressing and oppressing others. You will find it helpful to first provide students common expressive language for what they are feeling and thinking as they begin to share in the knowledge of cultures. You would next teach Social Awareness and Culture simultaneously. Social Awareness, by it's very best practices, requires cultural responsiveness. Once there is common expressive language for feelings, thoughts, empathy, perspective, and culture I would progress forward bouncing from the Self to the Social. It is important to recognize early that though the experience of emotion may be universal to humans, the use of these SEL skills may not be equally relevant or valued universally from culture to culture. This is how we can revisit SEL with a cultural lens and visit cultures being aware of the thoughts and feelings that come up for us. 

 

It is also healthy (necessary) to ask and inquiry about cultural values for students and families and colleagues who come from different cultures than our own. Cultural Psychologist Jessica Dere talks about assuming a "stance of informed curiosity" when working to build relationships across a perceived or actual cultural divide.   She also states, "Ask different questions and ask questions differently".

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There is far more about SEL and culture (particularly as we go further into thinking about implicit bias and confirmation bias). Check back for much more! 

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I also really like this quote from Trevor Noah. It is in reference to the Nelson Mandela quote above. 

I understand that you have a culture and identity that exists beyond me. I see you as a human being.

- Trevor Noah