Unit 1: Diversity and multiculturalism Flashcards
What is the meaning of diversity?
Diversity is differences in beliefs, values, practices and views, shaped by socio-cultural and socio-economic factors (Coursebook); the practice of quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds
What is the meaning of identity?
How you perceive yourself and how you believe others perceive you (Coursebook): psychological orientation of the self in regard to something with a resulting feeling of close emotional association (Merriam- Webster)
What is the meaning of ethnic diversity?
Distinct cultural tradition that members identify with that may be recognised by others; defined by group loyalty and sense of belonging.
Would you rather have less foreigners working in Singapore but take on less comfortable jobs with an average salary or invite foreigners to work in Singapore but have to compete with them for jobs?
There is definitely a trade off. Competition increases. If we let the foreigners do the job that we do not want to do then we should not complain.
The need to maintain a competitive economy in light of an ageing and shrinking workforce.
- Consideration
Are Singaporeans willing to take on ‘dirtier jobs’ or reproduce enough to keep workforce form shrinking?
What are the two categories of identity?
How others view you and how you perceive yourself (self-perception)
Types of identity
- primary and secondary
Primary —> gender, race, age, nationality, ethnicity —_ more consistent, enduring
Secondary —> values (personality) , beliefs, culture, language, religion, socio-economic status (not occupation, economic situation, shared by a group of people in society, typically defined by income and wealth, educational background, occupation prestige, education
What is the meaning of race?
Race cannot be concluded based on the DNA. Race originated from colonialism. Race is the biological classification of people based on physical characteristics shared across the group.
What does the social identity wheel consists of?
Age, Gender, Religion, Race, Ethnicity, Socio-economic status, national origin and first language.
What is CMIO?
What are the arguments for CMIO?
- Protecting minority rights and ensuring fair representation
—> equality for all, inclusivity in society
For example:
Self-help groups:
CDAC (Chinese)
Mendaki (Malay)
Sinda (Indian)
- Helpful with reducing misunderstanding and conflict thus maintain harmony among races —> multiculturalism (diversity cultures and races and acceptance of diversity (embrace)
—> through policies e.g. EIP, HDB< GRC system, maintenance of racial harmony act. - CMIO can improve governmental efficiency —> implementing policy targetted policy. —> redirect cost to other pressing needs. For example, if Malay community is lacking behind on data, then their policies can target that.
What are the arguments against CMIO?
- Increasing diversity of races that do not fit nicely into CMIO
—> Why?
—> more foreigners coming in
—> rise in interracial marriages in Singapore (mixed heritage children) - Outdated way of organising society by race
—> racial science has been debunked
—-> can categorised as religion perhaps - Stereotypes entrenched in society harm certain races more than—> disharmony among racial groups —> social tension.
The government has restricting orders (RO) so if they notice that an organisation is making a race upset, they can immediately ask them to take it down
identity means there will be diversity —> diversity leads to socio-cultural diversity and socio-economic diversity. Social cultural diversity can lead to __________ among racial groups while socio-economic groups can lead to _______,
Diversity may lead to ______. We can prevent this by ________,
identity means there will be diversity —> diversity leads to socio-cultural diversity and socio-economic diversity. Social cultural diversity can lead to __________ among racial groups while socio-economic groups can lead to _______,
Diversity may lead to ______. We can prevent this by ________,
What are some identity that Singaporeans identify themselves with?
- Meritocracy
- multiculturalism
- resilience and adaptability
- community and social cohesion
- National Day parade?
Is Meritocracy true or just a myth> You work hard and you receive the rewards. Actually, it is not just your efforts but the efforts from everyone else like your family members and teachers.
What does more people choosing not to get married mean?
- impacts on social well-being (isolation, loneliness)
- low birth rate
- lesser people in the work force to support the elderly (those that do not married) . The elderly have to support/take care of themselves.
What is stereotype?
Generalised beliefs about a particular group of people (Coursebook); a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person. (Person)
What is prejudice?
Negative attitudes and feelings towards other groups that are no based on reason or fact (Coursebook); an irrational attitude of hostility directed an individual, a group or a race (Merriam-Webster)
What is discrimination?
Actions based on prejudiced beliefs and negative feelings that hurt or exclude a group (Coursebook); the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people (Oxford)
Are stereotypes good?
Negative stereotypes and positive stereotypes if internalised, would affect those who do not want to stand up for themselves.
Positive stereotypes would lead to expectations
- recipients to feel depersonalised and reduced to their group identity
- tolerating positive stereotype may enable negative stereotype too.
- increased pressure to meet the high expectations and conform to the stereotypes, leading to self-doubt.
