WHAT IS CULTURE?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines culture as “the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place or time. A particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc., a way of thinking, behaving or working that exists in a place or organisation”.
Working culture dictates whether an organisation is inspiring or not. People tend to stay longer in a company that has a great working culture. This includes great principles, values, openness and fairness. Closer to home, family culture plays the same role in creating a great family. Have you ever encountered a happy family who just seems to click with one another? You feel inspired just looking at how they interact. Everything is so positive and happy.
What is their secret? The answer lies in the family culture. In their online articles entitled Fathering With Intentionality: The Importance Of Creating A Family Culture, bloggers Brett and Kate McKay wrote that family culture starts with family values, which then become the norms and, in the long term, become the family rituals and traditions.
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
Values and principles can be both positive or otherwise. As with other things, “creating” negative values is easy. We just don’t have to do anything except let our emotions rule the day. We don’t need to create any rules or live by any principle. Some examples of negative values are anger, resentment, bad-mouthing others, blaming and also sense of entitlement. If left unchecked, these values become the norm.
On the contrary, creating positive values is hard work. They don’t just happen. They require effort, constant enforcement, passion and patience from both parents to teach the right from the wrong. When problems arise, parents with positive values don’t quickly jump to conclusion or follow their emotions. They remain positive and stick to their values as their guiding principles when solving family conflicts.
NORMS
Once values and principles are in place, these will become the family norms and basic rules to live by. Much like a peaceful and advanced culture, these go a long way towards creating a peaceful and harmonious family. Children, no matter how good they are, will misbehave. When they do, parents would be able to refer to the family’s norms or rules rather than their emotions.
Otherwise, chaos will prevail, much like an organisation or country without rules. On top of that, mediocrity will seep in, causing further stress and damages.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Last but not least, according to Brett, a family with great culture has many good rituals and traditions. These include “family reunions, special activities around holidays” such as “family dinners and game nights”. They should also include religious rituals which are best performed together as a family.
In conclusion, organisations have proved that to remain great and attractive, they must have great company culture. Businesses, countries and even family units will benefit if they can practise this culture. Start by creating and living positive values and principles on a daily basis. Remain strong and consistent in the face of daily challenges. Use them as guiding rules which will soon become the norms. In addition, create positive rituals and traditions.
Before you know it, your family will be brimming with positive cultures. Like employees in established multinational corporations, your family members will find the home to be a great and inspiring place.
Source: nst.com
