Ecological and Cultural Analysis

Ecological and Cultural Analysis
Name:
Institution
Ecological and Cultural Analysis
The following research delves into ecological and cultural developments that individuals in a society undergo with regards to the environmental variables that influence them. The study of cultural ecology is conducted in two ways; the diachronic study of the past epochs examining the different entities that entailed and secondly through the synchronous study of the present including its elements. It is perceived that the ecological perspectives in a society are inextricably linked to cultural evolution and other aspects that affect human organization (Hall et al., 2008). Response to stimuli is inextricably linked to the processes that occur within our environment.
Since the past, there has been a connection linked between nature/ecological aspect and human culture from the ogre tales and allegories told in the yesteryears. It has evolved from the allegorical era of humans interacting with supernatural realm of nature especially notably in the renowned Ovid book, to the romanticism that was conceived at the age of enlightenment that was characterized with the progression of science and innovations (Champagne, 2009). It was considered to have substantially influenced world politics as world transforms from autocracy to liberalism. The attitude of nationalism too was conceived in the era as cultural dynamics evolved due to novel ecological changes that were inspired by medieval art, music, philosophy, architecture that were poised as carriers of culture. Romanticism still lingers and shapes cultures in the 21st culture as scientific milestones are being made with invention of ubiquitous computing. The film industry such as Hollywood is another ecological factor that is shaping our cultures in the contemporary world.
In my study to determine and explicate the intricate relationship between ecology and culture, the research involved interviewing a cousin of one of my classmates who is of Hispanic race. My classmate too is Hispanic, however, unlike his cousin; he was granted US citizenship and has lived 28 years now in the United States. The cousin immigrated into the United States from Mexico when he was 8 years old by being smuggled across the border together with his mother and others. Currently he has turned 19 years old and the dynamics of being an adult in United States and especially considering he is an immigrant who is yet to acquire genuine US citizenship are currently unraveling. He is cynical about the prospects of getting US citizenship but intends to stay in the US nonetheless. He therefore poses as an ideal respondent to my study especially when presently US is engrossed in an emotive debate about illegal immigrants from Mexico (Champagne & Mashoodn, 2009). The deliberation about whether to grant asylum or deport the immigrants has its implications on the ground where even the common American citizens are taking sides of the disputation. This pits the immigrants’ right in the middle of the tussle with some being discriminated by proponents of deportation law.
In my interview, he implores me to conduct my interrogation in a manner that would not reveal his real identity. I consequently resolved to call him by ‘Fernandez’ not his genuine name. Arranging the interview in the first place was not casual since the interviewee was apprehensive of the immigration authorities and I had to use my classmate to convince Fernandez to accept to be interview by allaying any fears of an authority bust. In retrospect, I resolved to conduct the interview, in an environment and context that was comfortable to the interviewee so I could get unfeigned and comprehensive answers to my questions. The site for my interview was San Antonio in Texas which is a popular Hispanic town and where the State laws are lenient on immigrants.
Fernandez is a 19 male teenager and stays with his mother and little sister sibling. He studies in a popular Hispanic school in his neighborhood. While hit would be deceptive to use his age to tell his grade, he is over his grade and is currently in 6th grade. Thereafter after catching a glimpse, I imploring into his gait and attitude and he surprisingly concedes that he is gay. Judging from Fernandez life experiences the aspect of resilience can be drawn from him and most from his culture. He explains how he has been deported once before re-immigrating and was emotional in narrating the brutal and deflating ordeal in which he lost a sibling while re-immigrating this time on foot across the desert border. Despite the heated debate in Congress that pits Republicans and Democrats on immigration law, Fernandez is hopeful of getting US citizenship since the Democrats are in power and are poised to win the next election according to polls.
Another strength that I drew from my interview with Fernandez is his close relationship and trust with his friends and family (Hall et al., 2008). Fernandez: “I and my friends are tight, we do everything together. We engage in small ‘deals’ that help us fend for the family. Family too is close, my sister, mum and I shop for groceries together. However, my mum often falls sick and I’m left to look after my sister while she is admitted to hospitals for some days.” Fernandez is apparently engaged in illegitimate activities which he was adamantly secretive about, claiming that he only partakes to help get his family find some source of money. He clarifies that his mother does not know of his dealings because she would not approve. Fernandez has also merely travelled outside the State of Texas where he explains he feels the safest under its jurisdiction unlike the other States that are rigorous on illegal immigrants. He continues that in the other States, the mere fact of being Hispanic could cause him to be asked to produce his identification documents to prove his US citizenship.
According to Hernandez, he could not be admitted to a regular US school until he could provide his citizenship documents and his further exploration to find a school threatened to expose him to deportation. He settled for the neighborhood school that does not rate prideful in education quality standard. Fernandez also emotionally explains the difficulty he confronts while trying to find a legitimate job without US credentials. The Hispanic employers who are sympathetic are overwhelmed with the Hispanic applicants such that they have no more opportunities for more. Based on the socio-ecological models learnt in my course study, I was able to substantiate the contextual effects that influenced my interview with Fernandez. Socio-ecological model help one understand the subject in context to the environment with which he or she is interacting with and their influence on the subject. Some of the ecological and cultural aspects that are affecting Fernandez are the politics, US social culture and education institu...