Normative differences

In our society, for example:

• A norm associated with the value of natural parenthood might be that the parents of a child are expected by others to be the people to raise that child.
• It is acceptable (normal) for people over the age of 18 to drink alcohol in a pub. In Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, the drinking of alcohol is legally banned for everyone.
  

The second example also expresses a mixture of values.

In Britain, the "alcohol norm" reflects the value that we, as a society, place on concepts of childhood and adulthood. An adult is considered to be someone over the age of 18; drinking alcohol in a pub is a pastime we associate with adults, therefore, anyone under the age of 18 should not be allowed to drink alcohol in a pub because they are not legally an adult.

In Saudi Arabia, the ban on drinking alcohol - whether you are considered to be a child or an adult - is related to religious values (Muslims are not allowed, under their religion, to consume alcohol).

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