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What Is Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism refers to how societies manage cultural diversity, advocating for the coexistence and enrichment of different cultures. It is characterized by two main theories: the 'melting pot,' which promotes assimilation into a dominant culture, and the 'salad bowl,' which encourages the retention of distinct cultural identities. Proponents argue that cultural diversity strengthens society, while critics caution that it can lead to division and social challenges.

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20 views4 pages

What Is Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism refers to how societies manage cultural diversity, advocating for the coexistence and enrichment of different cultures. It is characterized by two main theories: the 'melting pot,' which promotes assimilation into a dominant culture, and the 'salad bowl,' which encourages the retention of distinct cultural identities. Proponents argue that cultural diversity strengthens society, while critics caution that it can lead to division and social challenges.

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What Is Multiculturalism?

Definition, Theories, and Examples

By
Robert Longley

Updated June 18, 2019

In sociology, multiculturalism describes the manner in which a


given society deals with cultural diversity. Based on the underlying
assumption that members of often very different cultures can
coexist peacefully, multiculturalism expresses the view that society
is enriched by preserving, respecting, and even encouraging
cultural diversity. In the area of political philosophy,
multiculturalism refers to the ways in which societies choose to
formulate and implement official policies dealing with the equitable
treatment of different cultures.

Key Takeaways: Multiculturalism

 Multiculturalism is the way in which a society deals


with cultural diversity, both at the national and at the
community level.
 Sociologically, multiculturalism assumes that society as a
whole benefits from increased diversity through the
harmonious coexistence of different cultures.
 Multiculturalism typically develops according to one of two
theories: the “melting pot” theory or the “salad bowl” theory.

Multiculturalism can take place on a nationwide scale or within a


nation’s communities. It may occur either naturally through
immigration, or artificially when jurisdictions of different cultures
are combined through legislative decree, as in the case of French
and English Canada.

Proponents of multiculturalism believe that people should retain at


least some features of their traditional cultures. Opponents say that
multiculturalism threatens the social order by diminishing the
identity and influence of the predominant culture. While
acknowledging that it is a sociopolitical issue, this article will focus
on the sociological aspects of multiculturalism.

Multiculturalism Theories
The two primary theories or models of multiculturalism as the
manner in which different cultures are integrated into a single
society are best defined by the metaphors commonly used to
describe them—the “melting pot” and the “salad bowl” theories.

The Melting Pot Theory


The melting pot theory of multiculturalism assumes that various
immigrant groups will tend to “melt together,” abandoning their
individual cultures and eventually becoming fully assimilated into
the predominant society. Typically used to describe the assimilation
of immigrants into the United States, the melting pot theory is often
illustrated by the metaphor of a foundry’s smelting pots in which
the elements iron and carbon are melted together to create a single,
stronger metal—steel. In 1782, French-American immigrant J.
Hector St. John de Crevecoeur wrote that in America, “individuals
of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors and
posterity will one day cause great changes in the world.”

The melting pot model has been criticized for reducing diversity,
causing people to lose their traditions, and for having to be
enforced through governmental policy. For example, the U.S. Indian
Reorganization Act of 1934 forced the assimilation of nearly
350,000 Indians into American society without any regard for the
diversity of Native American heritage and lifestyles.

The Salad Bowl Theory


A more liberal theory of multiculturalism than the melting pot, the
salad bowl theory describes a heterogeneous society in which
people coexist but retain at least some of the unique characteristics
of their traditional culture. Like a salad’s ingredients, different
cultures are brought together, but rather than coalescing into a
single homogeneous culture, retain their own distinct flavors. In the
United States, New York City, with its many unique ethnic
communities like “Little India,” “Little Odessa,” and “Chinatown” is
considered an example of a salad bowl society.

The salad bowl theory asserts that it is not necessary for people to
give up their cultural heritage in order to be considered members of
the dominant society. For example, African Americans do not need
to stop observing Kwanzaa rather than Christmas in order to be
considered “Americans.”

On the negative side, the cultural differences encouraged by the


salad bowl model can divide a society resulting
in prejudice and discrimination. In addition, critics point to a 2007
study conducted by American political scientist Robert Putnam
showing that people living in salad bowl multicultural

communities were less likely to vote or volunteer for community


improvement projects.

Characteristics of a Multicultural Society


Multicultural societies are characterized by people of different
races, ethnicities, and nationalities living together in the same
community. In multicultural communities, people retain, pass down,
celebrate, and share their unique cultural ways of life, languages,
art, traditions, and behaviors.

The characteristics of multiculturalism often spread into the


community’s public schools, where curricula are crafted to
introduce young people to the qualities and benefits of cultural
diversity. Though sometimes criticized as a form of “political
correctness,” educational systems in multicultural societies stress
the histories and traditions of minorities in classrooms and
textbooks. A 2018 study conducted by the Pew Research Center
found that the “post-millennial” generation of people ages 6 to 21
are the most diverse generation in American society.

Far from an exclusively American phenomenon, examples of


multiculturalism are found worldwide. In Argentina, for example,
newspaper articles, and radio and television programs are
commonly presented in English, German, Italian, French, or
Portuguese, as well as the country’s native Spanish. Indeed,
Argentina’s constitution promotes immigration by recognizing the
right of individuals to retain multiple citizenships from other
countries.

As a key element of the country’s society, Canada adopted


multiculturalism as official policy during the premiership of Pierre
Trudeau in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, the Canadian
constitution, along with laws such as the Canadian Multiculturalism
Act and the Broadcasting Act of 1991, recognize the importance of
multicultural diversity. According to the Canadian Library and
Archives, over 200,000 people—representing at least 26 different
ethnocultural groups—immigrate to Canada every year.

Why Diversity Is Important


Multiculturalism is the key to achieving a high degree of cultural
diversity. Diversity occurs when people of different races,
nationalities, religions, ethnicities, and philosophies come together
to form a community. A truly diverse society is one that recognizes
and values the cultural differences in its people.

Proponents of cultural diversity argue that it makes humanity


stronger and may, in fact, be vital to its long-term survival. In 2001,
the General Conference of UNESCO took this position when it
asserted in its Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity that
“...cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is
for nature.”

Today, entire countries, workplaces, and schools are increasingly


made up of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. By
recognizing and learning about these various group, communities
build trust, respect, and understanding across all cultures.

Communities and organizations in all settings benefit from the


different backgrounds, skills, experiences and new ways of thinking
that come with cultural diversity.

Sources and Further Reference


 St. John de Crevecoeur, J. Hector (1782). Letters from an American
Farmer: What is an America? The Avalon Project. Yale University.
 De La Torre, Miguel A. The Problem With the Melting Pot.
EthicsDaily.com (2009).
 Hauptman, Laurence M. Going Off the Reservation: A Memoir.
University of California Press.
 Jonas, Michael. The downside of diversity. The Boston Globe (August
5, 2007).
 Fry, Richard and Parker Kim. Benchmarks Show 'Post-Millenials" on
Track to Be Most Diverse, Best-Educated Generation Yet . Pew Research
Center (November 2018).

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