SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF BRAZIL

Brazil is the 5th largest Latin American country in the world. Brazil is slight bigger than US with the population of 169 millions of which 80% lives in cities and towns so we can conclude that its is one of the urbanized and industrialized countries of Latin America. Regional and social disparities are seen in Brazil and also unequal distribution of income occurs in Brazil. Brazil is famed for its music; export of coffee, Samba, Bossa and also for its Amazon Rain Forest. Trends seen in Brazil are unity, Modernity, Diversity, progressive government policies and inequality is seen theyre in ample.

Location of the Brazil

Brazil is located at the eastern part if the South America with its geographic heartland and with various islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Border of brazil is 15,719 KM long sharing with Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Population
The population if Brazil is around 169 million, with the Growth Rate of 1.5 percent. The fertility Growth Rate of Brazil is around 3% per year, which again decreased up to 1.9 in 1980s. Southeast region is considered as the most populous country of Brazil with 63 million inhabitants. Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janerio,Bahai, Rio Grande do Sul and parana are some of the mosr inhabited states of Brazil. The male-Female ratio of Brazil is 97 men for every 100 women. Though decrease is seen in the mortality and fertility ratio than also theaverage age of the Brazilian has increased. The average age estimated in 1991 was 63.6% along with the increase in the number of older people by 0.9%. the estimated birth of a child per woman was 2.44 in 1994.

Gender
The gender inequalities are also seen in brazil which can be seen in the male female ratios, isolation, unequal distribution of income etc. women are given equal rights in terms of education and employment but it lacks in the household affairs. In the constitution of 1988, women were given equal rights in terms of legal affairs like men. As Brazil is currently a fastest developing country, it is also included in the BRIC countries so the inequality is decreasing amongst men and women. Although the wage gap between men and women is seen. It was estimated that inequality is seen less in urban areas of Brazil than rural areas. A woman in Brazil earns 77.8% that of what men earns. Despite of the existence of gender inequality the status of women is improving with its development. Nevertheless, there are some women who exist at the high positions in terms of politics and other powers.

Youth
The youth population in Brazil is declining, as in 1991 the youth population was 30.7% of the total population. Where as earlier in 1960 it was 42.6. Due to marital instability, unwanted pregnancies and poverty issues, ratio of street children is high.

Culture and diversity in culture

Brazilian culture is not a monolithic culture but includes the amalgamation of traditional Iberian, indigenous, African values with the mixture of Western values like equality, democracy, individual rights etc. Though there exist various regional and social classes, than also there is a common way, which differs them from North Americans.

Language
The national language of Brazil is Portuguese and is spoken by almost 100% of the population. Whereas in other countries like USA and UK English is spoken. But educated minority of the total population uses written Brazilian.

Social Classifications in Brazil

There exists a highly stratifies society in Brazil from colonial and slavery system for nearly three generations. The socioeconomic classification is highly dependent upon the distribution of income, as it is one of the worlds worst countries in terms of unequal distribution of income. Poverty is seen highly in Brazil and also class solidarity is not much strong. Poor people excess for the government services where as people that earn sufficiently are mostly having some or the other technical skills.

Linguistic affiliation
In the early of sixteenth century, Portuguese language was introduced in Brazil. All Brazilians speak Portuguese language, which is the mixture of Indo-European language family. Brazilian Portuguese differs from the Portugal. There is also some number of indigenous people situated in Brazil. There are major four languages in Brazil that is Arawakan, G, Carib, and Tupi-Guarani. Many middle and elite Brazils study English and much lesser than that they learn Spanish, French, German. They are very much proud of their language given by there ancestors.

Symbolism
Brazilians consider the things as symbols that Characterizes the best to their country. There is a carnival held in Brazil, which is the customization of musicians, formal balls, street dancing etc. which acts as a symbol of Brazil.

Social conflicts and participation

Brazilian society has started avoiding the conflicts with the acceptance of democracy and modernization.

Growth of Social Movements

As Brazil is developing due to which middle class people have also increased that means poverty has decreased up to a certain level. Earlier in 1970s theyre no mediator between government and society, which has increased with the development. Many institutions related to health, Education, NGOs have increased in Brazil. Small organization and NGOs like Brazilian institute of social and economic analyses does exist which is the largest NGO of Brazil.

Marriage Customs
Divorces, Separations have become common in Brazil now days. Women mostly head their household workers and they also include childrens from various marriages and relationships.

Social Security
In 1940s the social security was limited up to the plans made by the people personally. Now there is a separate health system carried out for old-age assistance. Employees are given retirement benefits, disability benefits etc. with minimum wages for the active work force. This has helped Brazil in reducing the poverty of the country.