Is There Really A Culture War?

The phrase “Culture War” can have different meanings behind it to different people. To me it doesn’t represent a full on bloody war between different cultures with different beliefs. Instead, to me, it means that different cultures with different beliefs find conflict amongst themselves. In the three articles that I read, the main focus seemed to revolve around politics. Politics always seem to play some sort of role in today’s society when it comes to disagreements. Before, culture war used to revolve solemnly around subjects such as rap music, protecting the flag from “match-wielding protesters” (Haidt), and spanking in schools. These were all different subjects that different groups of people, with different beliefs, disagreed on. However, not all cultural issues have faded away. Issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and assistant suicide are still hot topics in today’s culture. There is no set battle field where cultures clash and fight. Instead, the disagreements between cultures tie themselves into politics and are touched upon at great lengths during presidential elections. When Romney and Obama ran against each other in 2012, topics such as abortion and gay marriage were spoken about a lot. Different cultures and beliefs clashing in disagreement are ultimately behind what is talked about in politics. Both presidential candidates had different opinions on gay marriage and abortion. Also, in today’s society the media plays a huge influence on clashes between cultures. With the media, opinions are heard louder and discussions are joined within political matters. Because of our new culture war, cultural stories now offer different tales. For example, fairy tales between a man and a woman are now changing with today’s culture war considering the loud cries from homosexual, thanks to the media and politics. Overall, with different era’s different culture wars come along. There is no blood filled battle field but instead different cultures and beliefs in disagreement.

http://ideas.time.com/2012/10/08/the-new-culture-war-ove-fairness/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/8/men-making-out-badly-in-culture-war-prince-charmin/
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/04/10/why-do-americans-balk-at-euthanasia-laws/euthanasia-and-the-power-of-the-culture-war