Difficult topic

[jackmantaz]

Name 2 reasons why culture is a difficult topic for sociologists to study

[Mjoc42]

1) you are dealing with people. People are difficult to study.
2) There are diverse ways/theoretical standpoints for sociologists to use - this confuses the issue of studying society.

[samuel23]

Mjoc has it spot on - the problem is that even within a given culture there are likely to be local or regional variations - just think about the middle east. Some areas are strict about dress code, diet, religious observancies etc whereas other areas are more tolerant. Why should this be?
Therein we have the fundamental question that causes sociologists such a headache. Sometimes it's as simple as following the examples set by ones parents and their generation other times it's a deviation from the norm caused by a varing opinion on a religious or social view point.
The issue of culture is highlighted in the following question (I got this from a friend of mine who was doing a course to become a social worker). Why is it acceptable (in some places) to bathe topless on a crowded beach, in full view of everyone on the beach and all those that may walk past, yet to walk into a restaurant without a top on, where far fewer people would actually be able to see toplessness would cause a stir? Dunno what the answer should be but I thought it was an interesting question to theorise on.

[Alltorque]

Doesn't anyone do their own homework any longer ?