Although you may think of the law as a dry subject, it profoundly influences culture. Culture can be defined as a way of life, and what good is it if we don’t have the freedom to live safely? Laws protect our fundamental rights and allow us to pursue our goals. Rather, the norms cherished by a culture influence the laws set by the members of the community. Technological advances also influence culture and laws must be changed accordingly. According to the American Association of Marriage Lawyers, Facebook is at fault for one in five divorces in the United States. In court, flirty emails and messages sent on Facebook can be used against you.

In a democracy, laws are decided by the legislature, which is elected by the people. If people express dissatisfaction with a particular law, members of the legislature must embrace it. The judiciary is independent, so if the legislative power is at fault, it can be sanctioned. The right of a citizen to appeal the court’s decision also influences our notion of how free we are.

A liberal culture can only pretend to be liberal if the laws do not differentiate people on the basis of race, class, and gender. Protesters over the centuries have ensured that today we can live in a culture of transparency.

Although the law is precise and the culture feels more than described, the two are interrelated. Voting, policy discussion, and cultural practices help refine the legal system and change outdated cultural practices.

Although the law states that all men and women are equal, in practice it is often observed that men are paid higher than women for the same work. Only through incessant campaigning, publicity, and legal steps can this anomaly be resolved.

Racial discrimination was rampant before. Although employers cannot legally discriminate on the basis of race, some still do so in practice. Only if citizens make an effort to defend their rights will things change even more.

Class barriers often prevent the poor from fighting the rich in court. Also culturally, the rich are accorded more respect. By pointing out discriminatory practices, discussing and educating people on these issues, permanent change can take place.

Educational institutions are often leaders of change in law and culture. Law students should think about issues related to justice, freedom, and culture. By discussing these issues with each other, their teachers, and other citizens, they can organize popular opinion around current issues.

It is important to become aware of issues related to law and culture. Only then can you prepare future generations for the required change in the system.