1.3 - Cultural Research in Disaster Context
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Understanding Cultural Factors in Livelihoods
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Today, we’re discussing the role of cultural factors in our livelihoods, especially during disasters. Can anyone tell me how they think culture might affect what resources people access?
I think in some cultures, people might rely more on family help compared to just economic resources.
Great point! It's essential to recognize that economic necessities aren't the only drivers. Culture defines how individuals engage with their livelihoods. Can anyone remember the term 'Sustainable Livelihoods Framework'?
Isn't that the model that shows how people access different resources to support their lives?
Exactly! It emphasizes that assets — not just financial but cultural and social — shape how communities manage their recovery. Remember to think of the acronym 'CAP' — Capital, Access, Participation.
So, culture can affect both what resources are available and how people choose to use them?
Yes! Let's summarize: Cultural factors significantly influence resource access and decision-making in disaster contexts.
Frameworks Influencing Disaster Recovery
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Now, let’s delve into specific frameworks. Who has heard of Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital?
Is that the theory where cultural resources like education or social skills matter?
Exactly! Bourdieu breaks cultural capital into three forms: inherited, objectified, and institutional. Each affects how communities recover. Are you aware of any other models?
Lim’s model includes factors like religion and kinship, right?
Absolutely! Lim’s model highlights the complex interaction between cultural elements that shape community identity. Remember, think of 'PEER' — Politics, Economy, Environment, Religion as key cultural aspects.
So, combining these frameworks helps us understand community resilience better?
Yes! Integrating these frameworks allows us to appreciate cultural nuances in disaster management.
The Methodology of Cultural Research
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Let’s explore the methodology used in understanding these cultural influences. How how do you think morphology relates to cultural studies?
Morphology looks at the shape and structure, right? So it could tell us about how the built environment affects culture.
Precisely! Morphological research helps analyze spatial changes in communities pre- and post-disaster. Why do you think understanding these changes is crucial?
It helps us see what worked and what didn’t after a disaster, so we can improve future strategies.
Exactly! This synthesis of cultural anthropology and morphology is vital for holistic disaster recovery research. Think of 'SPACES' — Spatial, Perspective, Analysis, Cultural, Ecological, Structure!
That's a useful way to remember it!
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section explores how cultural dimensions impact livelihood choices and vulnerability in disaster situations. It emphasizes the need for understanding cultural contexts in humanitarian efforts, highlighting the role of various cultural theories and frameworks, including Bourdieu's cultural capital and Lim's cultural environment model.
Detailed
Cultural Research in Disaster Context
This section delves into the multifaceted relationship between culture and disaster management. It argues that cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping the responses of individuals and communities during and after disasters. By examining existing frameworks like the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and various cultural theories, the chapter establishes the necessity for incorporating cultural perspectives into disaster recovery processes.
Key Highlights:
- Cultural Factors in Livelihoods: People's choices and actions are influenced by cultural factors beyond mere economic necessities.
- Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: Developed in 1997, emphasizes how individuals or groups access resources or assets to organize their livelihoods.
- Cultural Capital: Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital underscores the inherited, objectified, and institutional forms of capital essential for community identity and resilience.
- Cultural Environment Model: Lim’s model presents a matrix capturing various cultural dimensions such as religion, economy, gender roles, and kinship, all of which shape communities' identities and actions during recovery.
- Methodological Approach: The research synthesizes cultural anthropology and morphology to analyze spatial changes in communities pre- and post-disaster, showcasing the importance of understanding built environments.
Ultimately, this section stresses that addressing cultural dimensions in post-disaster recovery is vital to empower communities and improve outcomes for those affected.
Audio Book
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Understanding Livelihoods Framework
Chapter 1 of 6
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Chapter Content
There is also sustainable livelihoods framework which talks about the asset framework where it is a different model in 1997, which they have developed how the individuals or groups access the resources which are basically assets to organize their livelihoods and how the capacities make them able to act engage and change the world.
Detailed Explanation
The sustainable livelihoods framework emphasizes that individuals and groups can leverage various assets for their survival and betterment. The model developed in 1997 focuses on how resources, categorized as assets, enable people to improve their livelihoods. This means that households are not just surviving; they have the capacity to engage, adapt, and evolve based on their circumstances.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a community that relies on fishing. Their assets might include boats, nets, knowledge of fishing spots, and access to local markets. By effectively using these assets, they can improve their fishing practices, increase their catch, and ultimately enhance their economic status.
Cultural Influences on Livelihood Choices
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Chapter Content
But here, the thing is it is not just for the economic necessity where households or groups act upon. But it is with the cultural factors which people manage the results and make their livelihood choices to act upon.
Detailed Explanation
While economic factors are important for making livelihood choices, cultural elements often play a significant role as well. People’s values, beliefs, and social norms influence how they decide to earn a living or what resources they prioritize. This cultural aspect can dictate everything from work ethics to the types of resources people deem important.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine two communities in the same region. One may prioritize traditional crafts and artisanal work, valuing heritage and skill passed down through generations. The other community may focus on modern agriculture, influenced by external markets and economic benefits. These cultural perspectives shape their livelihood decisions significantly.
Research Perspectives and Cultural Capital
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So, this is where I started reviewing a variety of literature starting from Bourdieu’s cultural capital... I try to adopt certain literatures and made a framework in my research, in order to understand the role of culture, in the disaster development process.
Detailed Explanation
The section discusses how the author reviewed various literature focusing on cultural perspectives, particularly concepts like Bourdieu's cultural capital. This involves understanding how certain forms of cultural wealth, such as education, social connections, or heritage, affect individuals' capabilities and choices in disaster contexts. By employing a framework based on these findings, the author aims to incorporate cultural dimensions into disaster recovery research.
Examples & Analogies
Think of cultural capital like a toolbox that individuals build over time. The more tools (skills, knowledge, social networks) someone has, the better equipped they are to navigate challenges in life, including recovering from a disaster. For instance, someone with strong educational background and community ties may have more opportunities during recovery than someone without those resources.
Framework of Cultural Environment
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Chapter Content
I have adopted Lim’s model of cultural environment... that creates an identity.
Detailed Explanation
The author references Lim's model of cultural environment, which includes various cultural dimensions such as religion, family structure, and gender roles. These factors interconnect to shape a community's identity and their response to disasters. It's crucial to recognize how these elements influence not only how a community functions but also how they recover and rebuild after a disaster.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a village where traditional roles dictate responsibilities; for instance, where men typically handle farming and women focus on home care. In a disaster like a flood, understanding these dynamics can help recovery aid providers target their assistance effectively, ensuring they respect cultural roles while helping the community rebuild.
Cultural Dimensions in Disaster Recovery
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Chapter Content
So, mainly my argument lies on how the cultural dimensions of the local communities are not effectively and sufficiently addressed in the current post-disaster for humanitarian and development process.
Detailed Explanation
The significant limitation identified is the insufficient attention given to cultural dimensions during post-disaster recovery efforts. Recognizing and integrating cultural factors can enhance not only effectiveness but also equity in humanitarian responses. If local cultures are ignored, recovery efforts may fail to resonate with communities, sabotaging long-term recovery and resilience.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a situation where recovery teams rebuild homes but neglect local architectural styles or community practices; this might lead to buildings that feel alien to the community. By incorporating cultural insights, recovery efforts can create spaces that respect and reflect the community's identity, thus making them feel more 'at home.'
Research Methods and Focus Areas
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Chapter Content
How to understand the role of culture in the post disaster recovery process and its relation to the vulnerability, especially, in particular to the built environment of affected traditional settlements.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk discusses the methods employed to investigate the relationship between culture and vulnerability in disaster recovery. The research looks at how built environments in traditional settlements are affected by disasters and subsequently how cultural factors can influence recovery outcomes.
Examples & Analogies
For instance, in examining the aftermath of a hurricane that affected a historic New Orleans neighborhood, researchers might focus on how cultural heritage influences rebuilding decisions and community cohesion. They may find that restoring homes to their original states helps people feel connected to their history, leading to a quicker and more cohesive recovery.
Key Concepts
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Cultural Factors: Influence community livelihood choices during disasters.
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Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: Highlights resource access diversity for recovery.
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Cultural Capital: Understanding of inherited and objectified resources shaping identity.
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Morphology: Study of spatial changes pre- and post-disaster.
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Cultural Environment Model: Framework mapping cultural dimensions to community identity.
Examples & Applications
A community influenced by cultural traditions may prioritize rebuilding communal spaces rather than focusing solely on individual housing.
In fishing villages, the cultural significance of kinship may drive recovery efforts more than financial incentives.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Cultural capital's a treasure, beyond just gold; It's values and norms that help us uphold.
Stories
Imagine a town rebuilding after a disaster, where a fisherman decides to use his skills not just for his family but also to teach others in need. This illustrates cultural factors shaping recovery.
Memory Tools
Remember 'CAP' for the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: Capital, Access, Participation.
Acronyms
'PEER' helps us remember the cultural dimensions
Politics
Economy
Environment
Religion.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Cultural Capital
A concept introduced by Pierre Bourdieu referring to non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means.
- Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
A framework that emphasizes the ways in which individuals and groups access and use assets for their livelihoods.
- Morphology
The study of the structure and form of communities, especially the changes in spatial characteristics before and after disasters.
- Cultural Environment Model
A framework proposed by Regina Lim that maps the relationship between various cultural dimensions such as gender roles, economy, and politics.
- Vulnerability Context
The social, economic, political, and environmental factors that create or exacerbate human vulnerability to disasters.
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