Why People Everywhere Are Fighting to Keep Their Culture Alive Across Generations, Study Finds

By Searchpanda - June 16, 2025

What do an old lullaby sung in a forgotten dialect, a traditional wedding dance, and a grandmother’s secret stew recipe have in common? According to a groundbreaking new theory from researchers at Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin, they are all part of a powerful and nearly universal human instinct: the drive to keep culture alive.

Why People Everywhere Are Fighting to Keep Their Culture Alive Across Generations, Study Finds
The power of heritage

This emerging concept, dubbed the “Cultural Continuity Hypothesis,” suggests that the preservation of culture isn’t just nostalgic—it’s essential. As much a part of us as breathing or storytelling, this intrinsic motivation to pass down our values, traditions, and customs could be key to our well-being.

A Cross-Disciplinary Breakthrough

Led by Dr. Cory Cobb, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior at Texas A&M, the team delved into decades of research across psychology, sociology, and anthropology to trace a simple but profound thread: human beings are universally compelled to preserve what they deem culturally sacred.

“These cultural aspects likely give people within that culture a sense of belonging and identity,” says Dr. Cobb. “This is similar to the way people create internal narratives about themselves that inform different aspects of their lives.”

In other words, our cultural inheritance is as much a part of our personal identity as our memories or names. Strip that away, and you risk unraveling more than tradition—you shake the very roots of mental and social stability.

Culture as a Lifeline

The hypothesis goes beyond sentiment. It’s rooted in data showing that cultural continuity supports psychological well-being, providing identity, emotional grounding, and a sense of belonging.

In immigrant communities, for example, families that actively retain cultural practices—be it language, food, or holidays—tend to exhibit stronger family bonds and better mental health outcomes. On the flip side, when younger generations veer too far from their cultural origins, studies show spikes in depression, academic challenges, and family discord.

Why People Everywhere Are Fighting to Keep Their Culture Alive Across Generations, Study Finds
Why traditions still matter

Children struggling to balance their inherited identity with the cultural norms of a new society often face an emotional tug-of-war. And that conflict, according to the research, is no coincidence.

Evolution’s Cultural Compass

What’s particularly fascinating is that the desire to preserve culture appears hardwired—evident even in infants. Newborns show early preferences for familiar sounds and faces, and toddlers mimic the customs and rituals they observe in their caregivers.

“These behaviors support the idea that cultural continuity is something embedded within us from a young age,” notes Dr. Cobb.

Moreover, the team discovered that perceived threats to a group’s heritage—such as colonization, migration, or globalization—tend to amplify efforts to safeguard it. Think of the Irish reviving Gaelic traditions during British rule, or indigenous communities in the Americas restoring tribal languages and spiritual ceremonies today.

This isn’t just reactionary; it’s evolutionary.

Not All Traditions Are Equal

Interestingly, while all cultures strive for continuity, the specific elements preserved vary dramatically. Some prioritize language, others religion, cuisine, or clothing. Even within families, parents and children might clash over which traditions matter most.

In multicultural societies, younger generations often integrate elements of the host culture while selectively preserving their heritage. This “cultural negotiation” can be both enriching and fraught, especially when values collide.

Still, the act of preservation—regardless of what’s being preserved—serves a deeper psychological function: maintaining coherence between generations and affirming shared meaning in a rapidly changing world.

The Price of Cultural Amnesia

The study also warns of what happens when continuity falters. Generational gaps in cultural retention are correlated with higher risks of alienation, academic decline, and mental health issues in adolescents.

“The message is clear: When families and societies lose their cultural footing, they risk losing their emotional and social bearings too,” says Cobb.

By contrast, communities that succeed in sustaining their heritage through storytelling, rituals, and practices tend to show higher rates of social cohesion, resilience, and even economic stability.

Looking Ahead: Testing the Hypothesis

The authors of the study invite further research into how cultural continuity affects various psychological needs and societal outcomes. Among the areas ripe for exploration:

  • Which cultural traits are most essential to preserve?
  • What mechanisms best support cultural transmission in modern contexts?
  • How can policymakers and educators harness this drive to support mental health?

While the theory awaits deeper empirical testing, its implications are already resonating far beyond academia.

Why People Everywhere Are Fighting to Keep Their Culture Alive Across Generations, Study Finds
Culture lives through generations

The Human Thread Through Time

At its heart, the Cultural Continuity Hypothesis reframes culture not as something optional or ornamental, but as a core human need—on par with connection, purpose, and security.

In a world that often feels fragmented and fast-paced, our traditions—be they sacred chants, Sunday roasts, or ancient tattoos—offer more than comfort. They are the connective tissue between past, present, and future, a testament to who we are and where we’ve been.

And in the words of Dr. Cobb, “Preserving culture across time and space appears to be a nearly universal human practice… Successful continuity seems to play a crucial role in a population’s well-being.”