Portfolio p.g.4

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

Creativity

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.