Introduction
A society's culture consists of its norms for thought and conduct within social groups. Culture of a society was localised to a certain place and time before the modern era (Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). However, due to the rise of globalisation and improvements in transportation and technology, many people from different cultural backgrounds have relocated to other locations in quest of better economic opportunities. This has led to a new period of multiculturalism in the 21st century, when people of different backgrounds are welcome in the same area. Many nations, like Australia, the United States, India, the United Arab Emirates, etc., are home to citizens of different ethnic backgrounds (Modood, 2013). Visiting the Global Village on a school trip is like going to a real cultural attraction that helps teach about and give insight into peoples' lives all over the world.
Pros of a Diverse Population
At first, adjusting to live in a diverse community may feel overwhelming; nevertheless, the rewards quickly become apparent. The following are some of the most significant benefits:
Having the ability to quickly adjust to new circumstances is a key characteristic of a person who has grown up in a multicultural culture. Every member of these communities learns to empathise with those who have opinions contrary to their own, even if they are fundamentally held. A person who is accustomed to a constantly shifting culture is more likely to readily accept shifts in other areas of their lives, including the workplace and their education (Benet, 2012).
Inquiring Mind
Living in a multicultural community greatly diminishes the prevalence of racism. Racism's fundamental problems stem from people blindly adhering to the beliefs of their ancestors rather than examining the situation for themselves. It's only after experiencing life in other cultures that one can fully grasp the reasoning behind others' actions.
Environment that encourages individuality and creativity, as opposed to a society where conformity is the norm. There are communities that view homosexuality as a sin and shun its members who identify as such. In a multicultural culture, a group of people who don't share a person's religious beliefs are more able to understand and care for them than those who do (Foster, 2013)
Interesting: Everything that happens in the global village, though, is fascinating. All of these different scales together make up a beautiful bouquet that represents our global community. The celebrations, food fairs, and parades are always a good time.
One of the greatest benefits of living in a multicultural culture is the opportunity to sample a wide variety of delicious foods without having to leave the country. At the Turkish grill in the global village, I had a fantastic experience eating Biryani, Thai green curry, shawarma, shepherd's pie, and other traditional dishes from around the world.
Consequences of Multiculturalism
There are benefits and drawbacks to diversity, just as there are to anything else. The risk of cultural extinction increases when people of different backgrounds share living quarters; this is because they are more likely to adopt practises from more dominant groups (Eriksen, 2012). Cambodian society eventually abandoned its own Khmer language and culture in favour of Theravada Buddhism.
The presence of two divisive cultures increases the likelihood of hostility and, in extreme cases, violence. Conflicts can escalate when groups within a society strive to prove the other side incorrect or elevate themselves above it, as shown in the religious tensions between Palestinians and Jews in Israel, which have resulted in several deaths.
Impact on host culture: Multiculturalism significantly water down host society's culture. Immigrants pose a potential risk to the host society since they may or may not contribute to society for the better (Lawrence, 2016)
The risk of causing offense increases if one does not have a thorough understanding of the local culture. A man who is not a member of a woman's immediate family is not permitted to physically interact with her if she is a member of that culture. When someone from one culture welcomes another with a hug, they may be seen as rude if they are unfamiliar with the customs of the receiving culture.
How to Make It in a Multicultural World
Today, many people move to new locations, usually in search of better living conditions, such as jobs, schools, and healthcare. When relocating to a more diverse community, the following set of abilities might be invaluable.
Not expecting the society to behave a specific way is a major reason why some people struggle to make it in a multicultural society. At every corner of the global village, there was something unexpected and delightful to discover. It may not be easy to integrate into a community no matter how well one is prepared (Modood, 2014).
Positing an Open Mind: One must be able to take in the beliefs of the other culture without challenging them or trying to prove their own superiority.
Recognize that each group is unique, and as a result, treat the other community with respect to maintain harmony.
Get ready by reading: Learning the host culture's fundamentals—including the actions, attitudes, and phrases Assignment Help may be offensive—is essential before making a permanent move there.
Before deciding to adopt, be sure that you have: It's not a good idea to immerse oneself in a society where everything is done backwards from one's own. If you're against the practice of killing animals for food, you probably shouldn't relocate to a community where it's common practice.
Conclusion
Due to globalisation, multiculturalism is inevitable. As the positives of diversity become more widely recognised, the notion continues to gain traction. When properly shown, multiculturalism may foster harmonious, accepting neighbourhoods (Crowder, 2013).
References
Benet-Martínez, V., 2012. Multiculturalism: Cultural, social, and personality processes. Handbook of personality and social psychology, pp.623-648.
Crowder, G., 2013. Theories of multiculturalism: an introduction. Polity.
Csikszentmihalyi, M., 2014. Society, culture, and person: A systems view of creativity (pp. 47-61). Springer Netherlands.
Eriksen, J.M., Stjernfelt, F. and Stjernfelt, F., 2012. The democratic contradictions of multiculturalism. Telos Press Pub..
Foster, C., 2013. Genuine multiculturalism: the tragedy and comedy of diversity. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP.
Lawrence, P., 2016. Exodus: immigration and multiculturalism in the 21st century. Review of African Political Economy, 43(148), pp.328-336.
Modood, T., 2013. Multiculturalism. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modood, T., 2014. Multiculturalism, interculturalism and the majority. Journal of Moral Education, 43(3), pp.302-315.