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.
 Multiculturalism
In sociology, multiculturalism is the view that cultural differences should be
respected or even encouraged. Sociologists use the concept of multiculturalism to
describe one way of approaching cultural diversity within a society. Underlying
multiculturalism is the belief that members of different cultures can live peacefully
alongside each other; assimilation is not necessary, nor perhaps even desirable.
Contrasted with multiculturalism is the "melting pot" perspective, according to
which cultural differences — such as differences in religion, language, and other
customs — blend into another to form a new whole. Proponents of multiculturalism
favor people keeping at least some features of their traditional culture. The United
States has often been described as a multicultural nation. Critics claim that
multiculturalism threatens social unity and the dominant culture.

The value of multiculturalism. ... Multiculturalism is important because it dilutes and

dissipates the divisiveness of ignorance. It is important because it encourages dialogue, often
between radically different cultures that have radically different perspectives.

Prostitution is a gendered, sexualized, and racialized labor system, one that typically involves
the exchange of sexual services for money, goods, or other benefits. Sex work encompasses
different types of intimate arrangements that blur the boundaries between erotic, emotional, and
economic labor.

Prostitution
WRITTEN BY: 

 John Philip Jenkins

See Article History
Prostitution, the practice of engaging in
relatively indiscriminate sexual activity, in general with someone who
is not a spouse or a friend, in exchange for immediate payment in
money or other valuables. Prostitutes may be female or male or
transgender, and prostitution may entail heterosexual or homosexual
activity, but historically most prostitutes have been women and most
clients men.
Perceptions of prostitution are based on culturally determined values
that differ between societies. In some societies, prostitutes have been
viewed as members of a recognized profession; in others they have
been shunned, reviled, and punished with stoning, imprisonment, and
death. Few societies have exercised the same severity toward clients;
indeed, in many societies, clients suffer few if any legal repercussions.
In some cultures, prostitution has been required of young girls as a
rite of puberty or as a means of acquiring a dowry, and some religions
have required prostitution of a certain class of priestesses. The ancient
Greeks and Romans mandated that prostitutes wear distinctive dress
and pay severe taxes. Hebrew law did not forbid prostitution but
confined the practice to foreign women. Among the ordinances laid
down by Moses to regulate public health were several dealing
with sexually transmitted diseases.
In Europe during the Middle Ages, church leaders attempted to
rehabilitate penitent prostitutes and fund their dowries. Nevertheless,
prostitution flourished: it was not merely tolerated but also protected,
licensed, and regulated by law, and it constituted a considerable
source of public revenue. Public brothels were established in large
cities throughout Europe. At Toulouse, in France, the profits were
shared between the city and the university; in England, bordellos were
originally licensed by the bishops of Winchester and subsequently by
Parliament.

In most Asian and Middle Eastern countries, prostitution is illegal but

widely tolerated. Among predominantly Muslim countries, Turkey has
legalized prostitution and made it subject to a system of health checks
for sex workers, and in Bangladesh prostitution is notionally legal but
associated behaviours such as soliciting are prohibited. In some Asian
countries the involvement of children in prostitution has encouraged
the growth of “sex tourism” by men from countries where such
practices are illegal. Many Latin American countries tolerate
prostitution but restrict associated activities. In Brazil, for example,
brothels, pimping, and child exploitation are illegal.
FAST FACTS

 HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, our body’s natural defence against
illness.
 If HIV is left untreated, a person’s immune system will get weaker and weaker
until it can no longer fight off life-threatening infections and diseases.
 Testing regularly for HIV means you can get antiretroviral treatment if you need it
and stay healthy.
 AIDS describes a set of symptoms and illnesses that happen at the final stage of
HIV infection, if left untreated.

What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that attacks cells in the immune system, which is our body’s natural
defence against illness. The virus destroys a type of white blood cell in the immune
system called a T-helper cell, and makes copies of itself inside these cells. T-helper cells
are also referred to as CD4 cells.

As HIV destroys more CD4 cells and makes more copies of itself, it gradually weakens a
person’s immune system. This means that someone who has HIV, and isn’t taking
antiretroviral treatment, will find it harder and harder to fight off infections and diseases.

If HIV is left untreated, it may take up to 10 or 15 years for the immune system to be so
severely damaged that it can no longer defend itself at all. However, the rate at which
HIV progresses varies depending on age, general health and background.  

Basic facts about HIV

 HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.

 People with HIV can enjoy a long and healthy life by taking antiretroviral
treatment which is effective and available to all.
 Once a person has HIV, the earlier they are diagnosed, the sooner they can start
treatment which means they will enjoy better health in the long term.
 It’s possible for antiretroviral treatment to reduce the level of HIV in the body to
such low levels that blood tests cannot detect it. People living with HIV whose
viral load is confirmed as undetectable cannot pass on HIV.
 Regular testing for HIV is important to know your status.
  HIV is found in semen, blood, vaginal and anal fluids, and breastmilk.
 HIV can’t be transmitted through sweat, saliva or urine.
 Using external (or male) condoms or internal (or female) condoms during sex is the
best way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
 If you inject drugs, always use a clean needle and syringe, and never share
equipment.
 If you’re pregnant and living with HIV, the virus in your blood could pass into your
baby’s body, during birth or afterwards through breastfeeding. Taking HIV
treatment and becoming undetectable eliminates this risk.

What is AIDS?
AIDS is a set of symptoms (or syndrome as opposed to a virus) caused by HIV. A person
is said to have AIDS when their immune system is too weak to fight off infection, and
they develop certain defining symptoms and illnesses. This is the last stage of HIV, when
the infection is very advanced, and if left untreated will lead to death.

Basic facts about AIDS

 AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome; it’s also called advanced
HIV infection or late-stage HIV.
 AIDS is a set of symptoms and illnesses that develop as a result of advanced HIV
infection which has destroyed the immune system.
 Fewer people develop AIDS now because treatment for HIV means that more
people are staying well.

Although there is no cure for HIV, with the right treatment and support, people living
with HIV can enjoy long and healthy lives. To do this, it’s especially important to commit
to taking treatment correctly.