Question

Explain and provide an example of the problem with the "Nurture vs. Nature" dichotomy as an either or proposition. This issue refers back to the first chapters in the textbook, surrounding the following quotation:

"Culture uses and transforms life to realize a synthesis of a higher order" (Lévi-Strauss, 1949)

100 Words max

Answer 1

According to Levi Strauss, nature and nurture works hand in hand. He said that both these entities assimilate to form natural species on the cultural plane.

In order to explain this better, he took the idea that women could be symbolized as nature and men could be symbolized as nurture. He then opined that nurture has an upperhand over nature, as biology is homogeneous whereas the culture is diverse and the major influencer in shaping a person. Through this analogy, this argument then narrows down to explain the domination of men over women.

For example, the perception of sexuality in relation to nature and nurture lays the foundation of the human project of dealing of one's place in society. Even though sexuality is a concept of nature, the relevance of nurture could be seen when men are always at an elevated position than women as soon as the power of sexuality needs to shown.