How Culture Plays a Role in Literacy

In the article entitled "Dysfunctional Literacies of Exclusion: An Exploration of the Burdens of Literacy in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions" written by Mandi Chikombero, the negative aspects of literacy are explored. More specifically Chikombero describes the differences in traditional and cultural literacy in Rhodesia and how each affects women in the book Nervous Conditions written by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Traditional literacy focuses on traditional sociocultural values observed by a particular group of people. On the other hand, cultural literacy is more modern and academic oriented. In Nervous Conditions, all of the female characters struggled with either one or both of these literacies. Women that were educated were treated as if they were nothing but a housewife, as if their education meant nothing. This created immense unhappiness. Meanwhile, women that were not educated were treated the same way, but were content with those conditions. They had been taught from an early age that it was their duty to reproduce, plant food for their families, and be passive. The main character, Tambu, was not satisfied with the low expectations of women and wanted to be educated even though she grew up in the same traditional environment. However, educated women were not as easily accepted as those who were uneducated and her parents did not approve of her going to school. Tambu was neither fully traditionally nor culturally literate. She had a combination of both literacies.

This article made me question how many young women there are in countries like Rhodesia that aspire to be more than a home maker and mother. It saddens me that they do not have the opportunity to do so without being considered an outcast from their community. They do not have the access to education and jobs like American women do. I believe that many American women do not take advantage of all of the opportunities available because they do not realize how important they are. Simply having the ability to decide who and when they want to marry is a choice not given to many women around the world and American women often take it for granted. Rhodesian women have their mates chosen for them at an early age. If it is not arranged, they will be considered a whore. This is not true in America and all women should appreciate the many options we have in our country compared to other, less fortunate women around the world.