Obyčej v životě člověka v minulosti a dnes

The term 'custom' is not always used explicity in science. It has three meanings, at least. The first one is a way of behaviour, the second one specifies habits and rites aimed at aesthetical needs of the society, while the third one is connected with unwritten customary law. In life, however, we do not meet those meanings separately but they penetrate each other. We always must take into consideration the time and social conditionality of the analyzed phenomena. A (family, work, local) community is the bearer of customs. The contemporary communities often differ from those traditional ones. A present human does not submit to the press of the environment in which he/she lives. The cause can be seen in the world view change and in the modification of ethos. The cease of traditional customs, which were based on the system of values accepted by the majority, results, however, in the lability of moral standards and the revitalization of ethnic behaviour.