Diversity
What is Diversity and What Makes a Society Diverse?
Culture - the feeling of ==belonging== to a group in society. Culture can come from religions, age, race gender, language, history etc.
Cultural Identity - shaped by experiences, background, our homes, schools, and the communities we belong to. Northern Ireland is ==multicultural== as a result of immigration and is a ==culturally diverse== society.
Factors that Influence Cultural Identity
| Factor | How it influences cultural identity |
|---|---|
| Family | Children imitate their family and learn from them |
| School | Knowledge and skills gained in schoolCultural events celebratedSchool values and teaching about cultures |
| Peer Group | Influence of friends - music, style, sports, events |
| Religion | Learning about religion at home and schoolTraditions and events celebrated |
| Media | TV shows, social media, the news etc. |
| Nationality | Traditional food, languages, religions, values |
| Heritage (history) | Passing traditions through generationsFestivals to celebrate significant events |
| Sexuality | Gender identity and sexuality can influence attitudes, behaviours and identification with groups in society |
| Race | Identification with racial groups that share heritage and culture |
Ways to Express Cultural Identity
- Language
- Parades
- Music
- Symbols
- Marches
- Flags
- Political views
- Religious festivals
- Food
- Dress
- Sport
- Poetry
- Drama
- Art
- Dance
Benefits and Challenges when Expressing Cultural Identity
| Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland is enriched by a wide variety of food, language, sport and music that different cultures have brought. | Strong bonds can be created between groups who share a culture, which sometimes leads to a group not integrating with the rest of society. |
| People can learn about others cultureâs and can develop mutual understanding | People may promote negative values against other cultures |
| Understanding of cultures helps break down barriers and grow trust and tolerance | Intolerance, mistrust, stereotyping, prejudice, racism and discrimination can occur when one group feels superior and excludes others |
| Celebrations of culture allow participation and sharing of cultural experiences, which promotes inclusion and respect. | Tension and conflict when expressions are viewed negatively which can lead to segregation, division and marginalisation in society |
Key Terms
Intolerance - unwillingness to accept views, beliefs or behaviours that are different from your own.
Stereotyping - Generalised views about a group, thinking that everyone in a group is the same.
Prejudice - Judging people based on stereotypes. Preconceived opinions without reason or experience.
Discrimination - Treating a person differently because of the group they belong to. Racism, sectarianism and sexism.
Conflict - Serious disagreements or arguments, lasting a period of time.
Segregation - Separating people because of their groups. Housing or education.
Marginalisation - Treatment of a group or person as insignificant.
Sectarianism - Dislike towards another religion and rejecting those who donât share the same beliefs.
Racism - Can occur when different groups see themselves as superior to others because of ethnic origin or skin colour.
Causes and Consequences of prejudice and Discrimination
| Cause of Prejudice | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Ignorance, fear, lack of understanding | People fear and feel threatened by what they donât understand, which can lead to unreasoned negativity towards others. |
| Family Members | Influence by family to have an opinion on different cultures, narrow-mindedness. |
| Peers/friends | A young person may follow negative views to remain in a friend group with peers. |
| Media | Media can portray stereotypes, and negative images of certain cultures. |
| Religion | Religion is used to justify peoples bigotry and their actions. |
| Political Opinion | Cultural views are aligned with political views, can evoke disagreements. |
| Nationality | Where cultures clash, problems can arise. |
| Heritage Experiences | Bad experiences can cause people to resent other cultures or groups. |
Consequences of Predjudice and Discrimination
| Effects on an Individual | Effects on Society |
|---|---|
| Psychological well-being - anxiety, stress | Businesses - low motivation, productivity |
| Health issues - disorders, depresion, illness | Democracy - inequal oppurtunities |
| Canât reach full potential - loss of confidence and self-esteem | Politics - less votes, more pressure to induce change |
| Drug abuse - turn to alcohol or drugs to cope | Justice - inequality and marginalisation |
| Social injustice - homelessness or poverty |