According to Kendall (2009), ethnocentrism entails where an individual perceives his/her culture more redefined and exotic compared to other cultures. The term was coined in 1906 by William Graham Sumner focusing on all cultures; most sociologists focus on the term as a way of understanding all cultures. However, most people have a biased way of understanding other cultures besides their culture. Ethnocentrism has been established as a reason for division among different social and religious groups. The term causes race discrimination and religious segregation because of superiority complex. Ethnocentrism occurs daily in our society, especially in the modern day politics. For instance, the USA has always considered itself the most powerful country globally. The USA believes itself being economically sound and robust compared to other nations; thus, it forces itself in issues of the Middle East. Additionally, the white supremacy occurring in the USA making other races feel inferior and invaders of a nation they have always considered home. White Supremacy has managed to discriminate and downplay immigrants since white people feel more entitled and worth of the USA while a diversity of cultures built the country.
Ideal Culture versus Real Culture
Lee and Zaharlick (2013) explain that the ideal culture is described as the norms the society claim to possess. The culture attributes to the strong perfect character that the system demands. The ideal culture is utilized as a metric for determining whether an individual is right or wrong. In the ideal culture, the rules are black and white without niches and exceptions. Therefore, the society expects the individuals to embrace and uphold the set standards. Ideal culture entails what the society aspires to become. For instance, most people recognize the American dream that involves making moves in the superpower country. Americans always pride themselves on embracing diversity since time immemorial. This is the ideal culture that America possesses.
Real culture refers to the norms and habits that are implemented by the society. The real culture involves the real character adapted by the cultured, and despite the aspired culture, this is the preferred culture (Lee " Zaharlick, 2013). Right and wrong exist, but people understand that exceptions and grey areas exist. The real culture is what happens every day in the society. Referring to the USA example of a superpower country selling the dream of embracing diversity, analyzing on the ground, it is recognized to be contradictory. America discriminates against immigrates while lacking stable jobs and massive inequality.
Cultural Pluralism and Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism emphasizes on showing respect and tolerance to other cultures; it argues that all cultures are equal (Joseph, 2017). Therefore, the minority and majority should enjoy equal status to avoid prejudice. Equality is prudent, but that's not how the society operates; treating all cultures equally does not make the cultures equal. For instance, a bushman existing in Australia can be trained on how to fly a space shuttle. But that does not make him equal with an American who manufactures and designs the space shuttle.
Culture pluralism and Multiculturalism differ such that pluralism accepts several cultures but do not defend their equality. Culture pluralism focuses on strong, acceptable values that accept the cultural differences (Schwarzenthal, Schachner, van de Vijver, " Juang, 2017). Culture pluralism ensures harmony and growth of every group, but respects and tolerates the influence of dominating culture. For instance, USA has embraced the ideology of cultural pluralism, where everyone is accepted as an American.
Assimilation
Assimilation occurs when people from different ethnic groups interact freely with any constraints and the minority group become integrated into the broader community. Assimilation ensures that the minority is well incorporated into the larger community way of life including their language and cultural patterns. The assimilation occurs through intermarriages meaning that people start practicing borrowed culture that becomes part of their lifestyle (Abramitzky, Boustan, " Eriksson, 2016). Although assimilation takes generations to happen, when it eventually prospers, it is challenging to separate the indigenous culture and assimilated culture. Assimilation is effective because it eradicates matters of discrimination and prejudice because people start becoming equals in their practice. For instance, America has assimilated people from several communities as immigrants making the country diverse in cultural traditions making the nation a melting point for nationalities. America has proven to be one of the most diverse nations globally regarding ethnicity and religion.
Ethnic Group
Ethnic group regards itself distinctly in their language, religion, and culture which composes of individual identity. The individuals in the social group identify themselves in a unique perspective compared to their counterparts (Kegley " Blanton, 2013). Ethnic group has something that sets them apart from outsiders, and the boundary is preserved and respected. However, the ethnic group can be adopted by an individual by integrating the cultures and symbols of their new community. In the USA, the most significant ethnic groups are whites and people of color. The whites are majorly accepted in the country because they are believed to be original settlers of the country. However, the state has several ethnic groups such as Latin Americans, Germans, Asians, and Europeans.
References
Abramitzky, R., Boustan, L. P., " Eriksson, K. (2016). Cultural assimilation during the age of mass migration (No. w22381). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Joseph, R. (2017). Multiculturalism: a liberal perspective. Postfilosofie, (2), 29-49.
Kegley, C., " Blanton, S. (2013). World Politics: Trend and Transformation, 2012-2013. New York: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Kendall, D. E. (2009). Sociology in our times. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Lee, M. Y., " Zaharlick, A. (2013). Culturally competent research: Using ethnography as a meta-framework. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Schwarzenthal, M., Schachner, M. K., van de Vijver, F. J., " Juang, L. P. (2017). Equal but Different: Effects of Equality/Inclusion and Cultural Pluralism on Intergroup Outcomes in Multiethnic Classrooms.
