Multiculturalism
• 1. Conceptual Framework
• A) Definition of terms:
• Culture:
• ‘’The ways of life of members of a society, or of groups within a society,’’ Giddens, (2001).
• Dress, marriage, customs, family life, patterns of work, religious ceremonies, leisure pursuits,
art, literature, music, symbols and technology.
• Ethnicity:
• ‘’ the cultural practices and outlooks of a given community of people which sets them apart
from others.’’ Giddens (2001).
• Members see themselves as different from other groups.
• They are seen by others as different.
• Characteristics that distinguish ethnic groups:
• Language
• History/ancestry
• Religion
• Dressing
• Music
• Ethnic differences are purely social (wholly learnt)
• Ethnocentrism:
• ‘’judging other cultures by comparison with one’s own’’
• Race:
• ‘’ a set of relationships, which allow individuals and groups to be located, and various
attributes assigned, on the basis of biologically grounded features e.g. (Skin colour)
• Racial differences are more than ways of describing human differences.
• They are used in the reproduction of patterns of power and inequality within society.
• Multiculturalism:
• Policies that encourage cultural or ethnic groups to live in harmony with one another.
• It is all about ethnic diversity
• Multicultural Education:
• ‘’A shift in curriculum, adding new and diverse materials and perspectives to be more
inclusive of traditionally underrepresented groups’’
• Factors behind ethnic diversity:
• Slavery
• Colonialism
• War
• Migration
• Globalisation
• These factors led to populations crossing boarders
• Multiculturalism/Cultural diversity
• Minority groups are given freedom to exist separately yet participate in the larger society’s
economic and political life.
• Members must be equal though they have independent membership.
• Minority groups are distinct but equal.
• It focuses on interaction and communication between different cultures
• It promotes cooperation in communities containing multiple cultures
• It entails advocacy of equal respect to various cultures in a society
• It means policies in which no ethnic, religious or cultural group is superior or central
• Members of minority groups are treated as equal citizens
• There is recognition and positive accommodation of individual differences
• It is an umbrella term to characterize the moral and political claims of a wide range of
disadvantaged groups (churches, women, the disabled etc)
• However most theorists tend to focus on immigrants who are ethnic and religious minorities
• Theories of Multiculturalism
• 1. Multiculturalism:
• Bhikhu Parekh (2000) a political scientist
• Advocate of multiculturalism
• Argues that the cultural identity of minority groups should not be hidden (confined to the
private sphere)
• Language, culture and religion of the majority should not enjoy public monopoly and be
treated as the norm
• E.g. ATRs vs Christianity, English in schools vs minority languages
• According to Parekh, lack of public recognition damages people’s self esteem
• It discourages the full participation of everyone in the public sphere
• People are deeply shaped by their cultures
• For cultures to survive, each culture needs other, different cultures, with different visions
• This encourages critical reflection and the expansion of horizons
• Constantly comparing yourselves improves yourself
• Cultures are internally plural
• Hence culture is dynamic
• Societies must find ways towards unity and diversity
• Diversity comes with conflict
• Agree to differ
• Societies must achieve political unity without cultural uniformity (salad bowl)
• Develop respect and deep cultural differences
•
• 2. functionalism:
• Parsons – in every society there is a common culture
• Culture learnt via socialisation
• There are values and norms of society as a whole
• The ground is level for everyone
• Society is characterised by consensus, order, agreement and balance
• Conflict theory/Marxism:
• There is no common culture
• Schools impose the culture of the dominant groups in society
• Education, religion and the mass media are the ISA used to change people’s attitudes and
culture
• Schools are middle class institutions, manned by the middle class, where middle class
children excel
• They have the cultural capital
• Others have cultural shock
• Whose language is taught in schools?
• Whose history is taught in schools?
The hidden curriculum: (Bowles and Gintis)
Some things are learnt silently (give examples)
• Feminism:
• Education enhances male dominance
• Girls are educated for domesticity (HE subjects)
• Prepared for the home (housewife) duties
• The private sphere (Parekh)
• Full participation of women in the public sphere is discouraged (give examples)
Questions for practice:
1. Zimbabwean schools are multicultural. Discuss.
2. Examine the role of a multicultural teacher in a school setup.