In sociology, multiculturalism describes how a given society deals with cultural diversity. Multiculturalism assumes members of different cultures can coexist peacefully and society is enriched by preserving, respecting, and encouraging cultural diversity. In the area of political philosophy, multiculturalism refers to ways societies formulate and implement official policies dealing with the equitable treatment of different cultures.
Multiculturalism Key Takeaways
- Multiculturalismis how a society deals withcultural diversity at national and community levels.
- Sociologically, multiculturalismassumes that society benefits from increased diversity through the harmonious coexistence of different cultures.
- Multiculturalismtypically develops according to one of two theories: the “melting pot” or the “salad bowl.”
Multiculturalism can take place on a nationwide scale or within a nation’s communities. It may occur 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 how 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 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 having to be enforced through governmental policy. For example, the U.S. Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 forced the assimilation of nearly 350,000 Indigenous peoples into American society without any regard for the diversity of their heritages 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 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 people don't have to give up their cultural heritage to be considered members of the dominant society. For example, African Americans do not need to stop observing Kwanzaa rather than Christmas 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 by American political scientist Robert Putnam showed 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 is 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 an 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, more than 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 recognizes and values the cultural differences in its people.
Proponents of cultural diversity argue it makes humanity stronger and may 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 groups, 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.
Sourcesand 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).
