Multicultural societies

What is a "multicultural society"?

society in which people live together who have: - different ethnic origins - different religions - different cultural standards - different languages

important political challenge nowadays:establishing and maintaining mutual respect/acceptancebetween different cultures

preconditions for success:

- tolerance

- no fear of loss of identity

most societies are multicultural

- respect for others personal level

- equal rights

- equal opportunitiesstate level

Integration Assimilation

MarginalizationSeparation

Is it considered valuableto maintain cultural identity

and characteristics?Yes No

Is it considered valuableto maintain relationships

with other groups?

Yes

No

original cultural identity is retainedbut harmonious relationshipswith other cultures are sought equitable coexistence of different cultures, e.g. Switzerland, Canada

if the dominant culture doesn't wantany intercultural contact: forced separation= segregation/Apartheidif the non-dominant culture doesn'twant it: seclusion (e.g. The Amish)

if people neither retain their original cultural identity nor want to maintain positive contactswith the other groupsresult: confusion, alienation

complete adoptionof new culture

Acculturation

grades of adaption/relationship to other cultures in multicultural societies

Phenomenon:

Some immigrants try to conserve their culture by "cultivating" an extremelyconservative lifestyle (sometimes more extreme than in their home countries)

e.g.: - the Amish people

- some people of German descent in the USA

Frankenmuth/Michigan ("Little Bavaria")

- some people of Turkish descent in Germany

problems: - forced marriages- honour killings also forbidden in Turkey!

possible reasons:

- fear of loss of identity/culture

- feeling of inferiority inside another culture

- individual lifestyle in Germany collectivist family values

loss of security that is provided by the family

Descriptions/ideas of the US multicultural society:

(Synthesemodell): important elements of several cultures melt into one new culture

: components (cultures) remain distinct but together give the whole pizza (society) a special flavour. All components are based on one common pizza dough (common ground/shared values).

: multicultural society in which the different cultures remain distinct from each other

melting-pot idea

salad bowl

pizza society

Integration policies/strategies:

national/political level:

- voting rights

• lower requirements for- naturalization e.g. acceptance of dual citizenship

• equal opportunities

affirmative action (special support for underprivileged groups)

example: women financial support for language courses

local level:

• schools: exchange programmes, tutoring programmes, language classes• town/community: multicultural festivals, .......