P.G.4
LSS 2503
Chapter 5 Understanding Cultural Diversity
The challenges and benefits of diversity
Challenges include gender, age, ideology, national origin, and sexual
orientation. Some people discriminate against others who are different from
themselves. Discrimination happens when an action or decision is based on a
prejudice against an individual or group because of race, class, sexual
orientation, age and disabilities amongst others. It usually happens when a
dominant group confront a member or members from a minority group. Examples
include:
Dominant
white against black
Dominant
males against females
Dominant
rich against the poor
Dominant
young against the old (and vice versa)
Many of the challenges of diversity stem
from ‘isms’: racism, sexism, ageism,
ableism and classism.
Racism
This occurs when a member or members of a
dominant group discriminate against another group based on the colour of the
skin. This was practised under the apartheid regime in South Africa where
people were excluded from many areas (where they lived, who they married, what
jobs they had, how they were educated amongst others) based solely on the
colour of their skin.
Classism
Class refers to social rank in terms of
income, wealth, status and power. This means that different values are placed
on people based not on personality but on their social and economic value
Sexism
This refers to treating men and women in
different ways based on their gender. The dominant group (usually males) has
the power and can lead to prejudice and bias against the less dominant group.
Ageism
Ageism refers to people being discriminated
against because of their age rather that their ability and often takes place in
the job market.
Ableism
This is related to discrimination against
people with a disability. Disabilities are limitations that can interrupt
everyday activities in work or social life. If the environment does not have
the facilities to accommodate disabled people (such as a ramp) then the
disability becomes a handicap.
Benefits of diversity
The most recognised benefits of diversity
are
Working with people from other cultures can
help our creativity. If we work with people from different ethnic groups we
will benefit from their input resulting from their different backgrounds,
experiences, perspectives and ideas.
Innovation
When a group of people from different
cultures and backgrounds are working together a collection of ideas can lead to
innovations.
Cooperation
Once we acknowledge and respect our
differences the possibilities for connecting and cooperating become wider. In a
friendly atmosphere similarities become more important than differences and
individuals can connect to each other using positive attitudes.
Synergy
Synergy is the extra energy and
effectiveness that is achieved when people and organisations create a spirit of
shared understanding and openness so that they can cooperate and combine their
efforts.
These benefits develop when people from
different cultural backgrounds work or live together. This can be in industry,
education, the market place and local communities.
