Multiculturalism Flashcards
What is culture?
A complex collection of values, beliefs, and material objects shared by a group and passed on from one generation to the next.
What are the defining features of a culture? Culture is
- Learned - It is not something we are born with. Its our language, attitudes, customs, traditions, and world views.
- Shared - Develops as we interact with each other.
- Transmitted - Beliefs and traditions are handed down from generation to generation.
- Cumulative - Cultures can be modified to suit people’s needs. They allow people to adapt to different environments.
- Human - unlike animals, humans have the capacity to plan and organize their behaviour, and cultures enable them to do so.
What is cultural relativism?
The appreciation of different cultures and being able to see them on their own terms, and not judging them without first trying to understand them.
What is culture shock?
Occurs when a person has difficulty adjusting to a life in society with a different culture. Feelings of disorientation, alienation, depression and loneliness are symptoms.
What are the two spheres of social life?
- Public sphere - includes the workplace, institutions, marketplace and mainstream media.
- Private sphere - includes home, family, friends, and neighbourhood - people are free to practice aspects of their ethnic culture.
What are the con’s of multiculturalism?
- Its ineffective
2. Its too effective
Why is multiculturalism ineffective?
Does not address class inequality between and within ethnic groups. Amount of government funding is insufficient to address all the problems minority ethnic groups face in trying to become integrated into mainstream society.
Why is multiculturalism too effective?
Multiculturalism reinforces ethnic stereotypes. Multiculturalism may promote identities of ethnic groups who are intolerant toward others.
