Add direct quotes

Introduction

Human beliefs are channels through which they use to relate to influences on the way of life. In the same way that there are good beliefs, there are also erroneous beliefs which are commonly known as superstitions. Superstitions are usually common among groups of people and they are practiced as part of their culture. Consequently, the superstitions are passed down to generations which use them as justifications of cultures. Based on the diversity of human beings, there are different types of superstitions. Every superstition attracts both ends of opposition and religious adherence. Narrowing down to a specific superstition, this paper aims at analyzing the belief in the, Step on a crack, break your mom’s back, superstition, as part of an American subculture alongside other the overall entity superstitions towards life motivations.

Reason for Superstition

Specifically on superstitions, people also aim at achieving certain levels of utilities or benefits from them. The phrase Step on a crack, break your mom’s back is used to literally express bad luck caused by stepping on pavement cracks. Still on the end of figurative language, it also expresses the meaning of a crack to be a potential cause of misfortune. Ideally, the main cause of belief for this phrase is to avoid bad luck or if put in better terms to obtain good luck. According to CBS News on page one, the main purpose that people hold erroneous beliefs is for causing good luck or evading bad luck. Furthermore, the article on superstitions goes ahead in page two of reading to state that human beings cure the state of uncertainty through having superstitions. Notably, when uncertain about events and their outcomes, people often engage in anxiety. It is the desire of everyone to be in charge of various life situations as a way of reassuring positive outcomes. Even when superstitions cannot prevent bad luck from happening, the fact that someone has exercised some degree of belief in them serves to reduce the tension (CBS np). Concerning the superstition about stepping on cracks, its believers aim at obtaining the good luck of good health upon their mothers and even avoiding the bad underground demons that bring bad luck. Based on culture the phrase Step on a crack, break your mom’s back, was instrumental in downplaying and speaking against inter-racial marriages (Superstition Room np). In traditional America, some Caucasians perceived African Americans as inferior and they did not condone other Caucasians who married African Americans. Therefore this phrase is believed to have been developed based on the negatives of engaging with African Americans. Moreover, it was culturally linked to the religious beliefs regarding the existence of the underworld, where demons existed (Superstition Room np).

Support Systems of Superstitions

Notably, superstitions are supported through culture and mythologies about the beliefs of ancient people. Progressively as globalization take over, cultures are shared leading to adoption of various superstitions. For instance, Wolchover highlighted nine superstition considered common and their origins. From this selected article, Wolchover indicates the application of Greek, Egyptian, Sumerian, Ancient Europe and Christian mythologies and beliefs. Narrowing down to the present superstition about stepping on cracks, it is supported by a period when racism was rampant during the 19th and the 20th century (Superstition Room np). Such a belief has mainly been supported by family especially through the parents. Life is transits through stages and some consider the upbringing stage as most important. Children often learn from their parents and older siblings and relatives. Probably, it only took one individual to advance the course of the Step on a crack, break your mom’s back superstition into the subsequent generations. This can be attributed to the role that culture plays in developing an identity through the sense of belonging. Consequently, children were taught into the culture as a way of providing them with an identity. An example of an identity given through the Step on a crack, break your mom’s back superstition is that some Caucasians are not supposed and should not engage in marital affairs with African Americans (Superstition Room np). From this parent-provided identity, growing Caucasians children will grow with the mentality that African Americans are of a lower dignity compared to them. As a grown up, this superstition can also be reinforced through friends who are encultured in the same. Another way to support the Step on a crack, break your mom’s back superstition is that it used the mother figure as an adequate drive towards to prohibit people from stepping on the cracks. Due to the love towards a mother most people would keep away from cracks as a way of protecting their mother. Behind the figures of parents and friends, cultures are the main support system of superstitions.

Threats of Superstitions

Beyond the utility drawn from superstitions, such beliefs have negative impacts on the processes and systems of society. The modern society dwells in the premise of diversity and integration. People are urged to be tolerant to differences in society as a way of transforming diversity into an advantage. Referring to the Step on a crack, break your mom’s back superstition, one of its translations according to the Superstition Room is that it was a racism phrase. In the nineteenth and the twentieth century when this phrase came up, was when American was developing as a liberal country. Instead of bringing people together regardless of their differences, this phrase created more divisions in society. The threat of civil strife within the American society was eminent as racism gained ground. Another consequence of the misguided belief about Step on a crack, break your mom’s back is that it created fear among individuals. Putting the fear in the twenty first century context, people were misguided from the truth instead of understanding how things work. Science in particular has been critical in promoting objectivity in life as opposed to subjectivity of feelings and attitudes. It was also science that introduced the evolution of man and created the impression that some races were superior to other races. Therefore, apart from traditional culture, science is also responsible of advancing beliefs that could be lead to the emergence of superstitions. Concerning the larger culture of globalization and integration, it is important that some of the superstitions are held in less regard or are translated into constructive meanings that promote the good of the larger culture. Resultantly, people should be allowed to inter-marry based on making marriage a personal decision. The above analysis on the effects of superstitions is not only applicable for the superstition under review but many others that restrain people from achieving societal welfare at the gain of their individual interests informed on misguided beliefs. It might be difficult to separate some individuals from superstitions but it is important to emphasize and promote the greater societal good of the larger culture.

Other Superstitions and their Significance

Apart from the Step on a crack, break your mom’s back, there are other many superstitions guide the conduct of people. For instance, number 13 is considered unlucky, black cats are considered a sign of bad luck, knocking wood is considered keeping off bad luck, finger crossing is used for giving courage and good luck, horseshoe is a sign of good luck and number 7 is considered a good luck sign among others (Superstition Room np). As stated earlier, the main drive towards believing in superstitions is to obtain good luck or ward off misfortune. Just as there are superstitions related to other life aspects like culture, there is also a great deal of superstitions in sports. Translating good luck in sports, it can be simply put in the terms of winning and scoring more points during matches. Different sports have different ways of winning and these differences provide a diversity of superstitions. Considering beliefs such as wearing the same clothes for a continued winning streak in bowling is a superstition but most people playing bowling would attempt to exercise this superstition even though it is not a rule (Sports Superstitions np). Particularly, superstitions in sports revolve round sports equipment such as bats, kits and balls and conduct of individuals during matches and sports events. Some of the superstitions are transferred to generations of players through established cultures while some are based on individual practices which they mostly choose to conceal as a way of avoiding jinxing their good luck charms. Some of the examples of individual superstitions include:

· Michael Jordan always wearing his blue North Carolina shorts under his Bulls uniform for good luck (Sports Superstitions np)

· Pictcher Turk brushing his teeth and chewing licorice between every inning (Sports Superstitions np); among many others.

Conclusion

Indeed, superstitions are existent and even more continue to develop. Every superstition has those who believe in it strongly and those who hold it as just a statement. In all circumstances, whether superstitions hold water or do not, they aim at providing good luck and avoiding bad luck as life motivations. They create the human characteristics of believing in supernatural force to be the cause of situational outcomes. Citing the example of the Step on a crack, break your mom’s back superstition, culture and history play an essential role in advancing the relevance of superstitions. Eventually, it is important that the belief in superstitions does not affect the overall societal welfare.

Work Cited