Here's why:
* Culture is incredibly diverse and complex. There are no hard-and-fast rules about what must exist in every culture. Even seemingly universal elements like language, music, or art can be expressed in wildly different ways across the globe.
* Cultural universals are debated. While there are some broad similarities in how humans organize their societies and interact with the world, there's a lot of debate about what qualifies as a true "universal." Some scholars might argue that kinship systems are universal, while others might say they are only found in certain types of societies.
* Focus on variation is more important. The field of cultural studies is more interested in understanding the *variation* in culture rather than trying to find a set of rigid universals.
Instead of a list of 12 "universals," here are some areas that anthropologists and sociologists often consider to be common threads across many cultures:
* Language: All societies have a system of communication.
* Art: Creative expression exists in all cultures, though the form it takes varies greatly.
* Family: Most societies organize themselves around family structures, though these structures can be incredibly diverse.
* Religion/Spirituality: Humans have a strong tendency towards belief systems and rituals.
* Social Norms: All cultures have rules about appropriate behavior.
* Education: All societies transmit knowledge and skills to their young.
* Technology: Humans constantly invent tools and techniques to solve problems and improve their lives.
It's important to remember that even these common threads are expressed in vastly different ways. This diversity is what makes cultural studies so fascinating and complex!