ASSUMPTIONS & CHARACTERISTICS IN MULTICULTURALISM

Today I found another interesting article and I think I want to share it here. The article is about cross-cultural counseling, for sure. The author of the article, Alvia Repetto, she shared some information about the assumptions and characteristics that can be identified in multiculturalism.

  

FIVE ASSUMPTION THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED IN MULTICULTURALISM

• Multiculturalism accepts the existence of many points of view, none of which are considered good or bad, correct or incorrect.
• It involves social constructionism, in that people construct their worlds through social processes (historical, cultural and social experiences) which contain cultural symbols and metaphors.
• It is contextualistic in that conduct can only be understood within the context in which it takes place. This challenges the psychological and counseling theories that arise out of a specific cultural context.
• It offers different approaches to the world because each perspective captures a different, valid approach.
•  It defends a relational sense for language rather than just a representational one, because language has a high correlation with culture and the perception of reality. The relational approach allows truths and realities to be seen beyond western scientific traditions. 

 

TEN CHARACTERISTICS THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED IN MULTICULTURALISM

1. It values cultural pluralism, teaching the value of diversity
2. It is a matter of social justice, cultural democracy and equity
3. It helps people to acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that are necessary for functioning efficiently in a demographic, pluralistic society and for backgrounds.
4. It is more than just race, class, gender and ethnicity, and includes diversity of religion, national origin, sexual orientation, skills and handicaps, age, geographic origin, etc.
5. It welcomes the contributions and achievements of our culture and that of others.
6. It is an essential component of analytical thought.
7. It respects and values other approaches, but is not natural to valies, thus implying a commitment towards changing social conditions.
8. It brings change on an individual, organizational and social level
9. It implies tension, dissatisfaction and a will to face matters with honesty
10. It means positive individual, community and social attainments because it values.