The theme of this panel, From the Cradle to the Grave, could suggest that we discuss as best as we can some developmental aspects of VI culture in a general sense. In the time allotted to me I will focus on some things that my research and experience suggest fit into the theme. I wish to preface this with some theoretical points about culture that may be helpful in following the presentation. Simply put, culture is the way of life of a people. It is a totality of learned socially transmitted behavior.
Cultures vary widely and each is unique.
To the sociologist, culture consists of all the shared products of human society. These products are of two basic kinds, material and nonmaterial. Material culture consists of all the artifacts, or physical objects, human beings create and give meaning to, e.g. books, clothing, games. Other variables of a culture include norms, folkways, mores, taboo, law, sanctions, values, etc. The theme of this panel, Cradle to Grave, implies change.