Therefore, the concept of a traditional Western marriage can be used as a tool for making those who are different from the norm, such as homosexuals, feel alienated and distant from society. On the other hand, advocates of gay marriage suggest that allowing homosexuals to share in the rites and responsibilities of traditional marriage can be a way of recognizing their personhood, and can lead to unification between seemingly diverse sub-populations among the larger Western culture. As the above example demonstrates, there is no easy answer to the question of whether traditions promote unity; some traditions promote unity, while some promote divisiveness, and even the same tradition can have different meanings in different communities.
Furthermore, though traditions develop from a community's shared experiences, it is important to differentiate between a tradition's appearance and the underlying reality. For example, in American weddings, the bride has traditionally worn white to signify virginity and innocence. However, premarital sex has been a reality for a fairly substantial portion of the population since colonial times. Certainly, at this time, premarital sex is the cultural norm, but the vast majority of brides continue to wear white, even though they are aware of the symbolic significance of the color. In this way, the cultural tradition does not...
The Christmas holiday is a very good example of an idealized tradition. Many Americans strive for a Currier and Ives - type holiday, replete with good food, beautiful decorations, peaceful family members, and having the highly-anticipated toy waiting for a child on Christmas morning. The harsh reality is that Christmas is a time of great depression, financial turmoil, stress, and substance abuse for many Americans. However, despite the occasional pop-culture attempts to shine a more realistic light on Christmas, the fact remains that the Christmas tradition is much idealized.
In fact, many traditions do not represent a reality, but a societal ideal. White wedding gowns and Christmas celebrations are only two examples of traditions that do not coincide with reality. It may be the case that traditions establish the goals of a society, and that the real tradition lies in striving to meet those goals. Whatever their exact role, it is clear that traditions play a significant role in the establishment and definition of a community, and that whether the role is helpful or harmful depends on the underlying values of the community in question.
