Cultural Diversity

Diversity refers to all the ways that individuals are unique and differ from one another. The many separate societies that emerged around the globe differed markedly from each other. Many of these differences persist to this day creating cultural differences that exist between people, such as language, dress and traditions, ways societies organize themselves, in their shared conception of communication.

Diversity also has any elements. They help us to know its diversity. They are:

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Race
• Physical Ability
• Sexual Orientation
• Physical Characteristics
• Income
• Education
• Marital Status
• Religious Beliefs
• Geographic Location
• Parental Status
• Personality Type

Dimensions of Diversity

Diversity is divided into two dimensions. Both of them are primary dimensions and secondary dimensions.

1.       Primary dimensions

Primary dimensions are elements we have some power to change. People are less sensitive about secondary dimensions.  We also have the choice of whether to disclose this information or not. We also can conceal these characteristics. Primary dimensions can be known by primary characteristics. Primary characteristics are qualities we are born with. For examples:

·         Income

·         Work background

·         Geographic location

·         Marital status

·         Military experience

·         Religious beliefs

·         Education

·         Parental status

That’s all can be called as secondary characteristic.

2.       Secondary dimensions

Secondary dimensions are aspects of ourselves that we cannot change.  They are things people know about us before we even open our mouths, because they are physically visible (except sexual orientation).   When people feel they are being stereotyped based on primary dimension, they can be very sensitive about it. For examples:

·         Sexual orientation

·         Race

·         Gender

·         Physical qualities

·         Age

·         Ethnicity

That’s all can be called as primary characteristic.

Prejudice, Stereotype, & Discrimination

·         Prejudice is generalized attitude towards members of a group. Prejudice is learned. If we become prejudiced against groups because they threaten us, perhaps groups that trigger certain threats will also trigger certain prejudices and certain reactions.

·         Stereotype is generalized belief about members of a group.

·         Discrimination is behaviors directed towards people on the basis of their group membership.

References:

Susser, Ida and Patterson, Thomas. 2001. Cultural Diversity in The United States. Blackwell