#visualdiary9

[akcadle]

Cultural parameters can encompass a wide range of aspects, including language, customs, traditions, religious beliefs, social norms, etc. and it's important to understand and respect cultural parameters in various contexts, such as when interacting with people from different cultures, working in diverse teams, or conducting business internationally. I think there are some instances where parameters can be broken, and of course times where they absolutely should not be and it all depends on the situation.

In many situations, it is essential to honor cultural parameters out of respect for the people and the culture in question. Understanding and respecting these parameters can help build positive relationships and avoid unintentional cultural insensitivity or offense. While cultural parameters should be respected, there are legal and ethical boundaries that should never be crossed. For example, certain practices, such as discrimination, human rights abuses, or harmful customs, should never be excused or condoned simply because they are part of a culture.

In some cases, there may be a need to adapt to or work within certain cultural parameters, especially in a business or diplomatic context. This might involve modifying certain practices or behaviors to navigate cultural differences successfully. There may be situations where it is ethically necessary to challenge or break certain cultural parameters, especially when they perpetuate harmful practices, such as discrimination, violence, or other forms of injustice. In such cases, individuals and organizations may need to take a stand against these norms.

Balancing individual rights and cultural parameters can be challenging. Sometimes, an individual's rights should take precedence over cultural norms, particularly when those norms infringe on fundamental human rights. Promoting cultural education and awareness is essential in addressing these complex issues. It can help individuals and groups better understand when and how to navigate cultural parameters.

[laurennbradford-blog]

Gender Roles

In the instance of gender roles, I believe it is a cultural parameter that can be broken in certain instances. In the US, where the roles of men and women are constantly evolving, I think it’s ok to stretch the ideas from what is usually considered appropriate. These days, women are going to work and men are staying home with the children. It’s no longer a set standard for what each individual household deems as acceptable. As long as breaking the cultural parameters doesn’t put anyone in danger, it should be fine. Cultural differences will sometimes come with different parameters and decide whether or not they can be broken. For example, an ad in the U.S with a woman putting on “the pants” and going to work in the morning vs. an ad in Afghanistan with a woman removing her burka. One would probably be ok and most-likely seen as empowering while the other would not. 

[insowmnia]

UBER broke cultural parameters on car services and how we think about carpooling. Some would say, UBER glamorized hitchhiking and normalized the action of getting into a strangers car for a ride!

[laurennbradford-blog]

Time Orientation

While my parents both worked well into their sixties, growing up in the generation of millennials, that was never my own goal. They both graduated from high school and proceeded to get a job, keep that same job and retire 30-40 years later. My generation is the complete opposite. Most of my friends are either full-time entrepreneurs, part-time entrepreneurs or switch jobs every 2-3 years. They don’t see the benefits of giving a company your all for most of your life and then retiring at the end of your life with a small pension. I find myself in that group as well. I started my own company, Lola Bee Studio, 7 years ago in hopes that I can retire early and have the second half of my life be the better half of my life. 

[insowmnia]

Bumble is a fantastic example of a company that broke through cultural parameters of dating and WOMEN being the ones to reach out. It put the control in the hands of women to make decisions on what men they wanted to swipe on and talk to! This broke past the cultural parameters of dating and the social construct of putting the ball in the woman’s court.