Multicultural Society Research Articles

Reflective practice through a metaphor evaluation task: Should multicultural society be a melting pot, a mosaic or something else?

AbstractThis article reports an investigation into how a procedure to enhance their metaphor awareness assisted a group of university students in Canada in reflecting on multicultural society. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with 50 students who were invited to (a) express their views of Canadian multicultural society, (b) evaluate metaphors used for this topic and (c) reconsider their own metaphors. For most of the students, the metaphor evaluation task led to a better understanding of the implications of the metaphors, which helped them to assess their appropriateness. Through evaluating the metaphors, these students reflected on the matter of cultural diversity in Canada and on the characteristics of a truly multicultural society. The study illustrates how raising students' metaphor awareness can contribute to their reasoning about societal issues.

What Role Does the Heritage Language Play in Chinese Communities in UK?

This article examines the pivotal role of heritage language on Chinese diaspora communities in the UK, emphasizing its role in cultural transmission and identity formation. It emphasizes how community schools serve as essential platforms for heritage language education, enabling immigrant families to preserve their linguistic and cultural connections. The interplay between language learning and the socio-cultural environment is explored, revealing the challenges faced by learners and the significance of family education in this progress. Mastery of heritage language is shown to foster a sense of belonging and cultural pride, contributing to the construction of identities in a multicultural society. The article further discusses how heritage language education not only imparts linguistic skills but also installs cultural values and beliefs, reinforcing national identity among diaspora members. Ultimately, it underscores the transformative impact of heritage language on individual and collective identities, facilitating a deeper understanding of cultural nuances and promoting intercultural awareness within the diverse landscape of contemporary Britain.

Symptom vs context: lessons learned from a large-scale implementation of the Cultural Formulation Interview.

Mental health services in multicultural societies require culturally sensitive approaches to reduce health disparities. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is thought to enhance shared decision making and to facilitate culturally and contextually informed treatment. There is, however, little known regarding its implementability in large-scale psychiatric services. The current paper reports on (a) efforts to implement the CFI in a large organization for mental health services in the Netherlands, and (b) two studies that evaluated this implementation process and identified barriers to CFI adoption in clinical practice. Implementation of the CFI was facilitated by developing an online course, an advanced training of "team coaches", (digital) resources, and integrating the CFI questions into the intake format. A preliminary evaluation revealed that the CFI was administered in only 13.2% of all intakes across the entire organization, with minimal utilization of training resources. Study 1 aimed to investigate how the CFI was perceived by clinicians and stakeholders. A survey of 150 clinicians found a great lack of familiarity with the CFI and its purpose. While 67% reported partial CFI use, 50% saw no added value, and 61% deemed it relevant only for ethnic minorities. Study 2 examined which patient and clinician variables were associated with adequate CFI use (i.e., correct documentation of the CFI information in initial intake reports). The sample consisted of 112 intakes of patients conducted by ten clinicians. Regression analysis showed a significant association between clinicians' cultural competences and adequate CFI use, meaning that more culturally competent clinicians tended to generate better cultural assessments using the CFI. In addition, the CFI information was documented more adequately among patients who were unemployed at the time of assessment. In conclusion, implementation of the CFI requires a fundamental rethinking of the entire intake assessment, shifting it from a symptom-oriented approach towards a context- and person-centered one. Future trainings may benefit from embedding the CFI within a broader cultural competency training, rather than solely focusing on the CFI, which is currently the common practice.

When ethnic minorities hit the headlines: The longitudinal associations between news features and adolescents' ethnic prejudice.

Ethnic prejudice poses great challenges to adolescents' adjustment to multicultural societies. However, little is known about the role of the media in influencing attitudes in adolescence. Combining information environment and ecological development theories, the current study examined the longitudinal associations between the quantity, valence (i.e., neutral, positive, and negative), and target (i.e., migrant, refugee, and foreigner) of the news about ethnic minority groups and youth's affective and cognitive prejudice. In total, 962 adolescents (Mage = 15.67, 48.13% females) completed questionnaires at two time points, and news data were gathered from a national newspaper. While news quantity did not matter, positive and negative news were respectively associated with reduced and increased levels of cognitive, but not affective, prejudice. Nuanced associations emerged when accounting for the news target. Results were replicated regardless of adolescents' direct consumption of newspapers. These findings highlight the role of the information environment and suggest the need to account for it in planning interventions.

Balinese Language and Local Identity in a Multicultural Context; Issues, Challenges, and Preservation Efforts

This research aims to present the issues, challenges and opportunities of Balinese regional languages ​​in the context of multicultural society and culture. In the current context, the Balinese language is experiencing a decline in interest and use in daily life which is being eroded by the use of Indonesian and English by the people. The great influence of multiculturalism is detected in this context. This is proven by the proliferation of international standard Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and High Schools, where these schools present and promise English as the language of instruction. The narrative literature review method is used as empirical data to support arguments. Some of the issues facing the Balinese language currently and in the future include the code mixing habits of parents in Bali, the proliferation of international schools, and the position of the Balinese language in the Indonesian curriculum. These issues refer to several challenges faced by the existence of the Balinese language, namely the shift in the identity of the younger generation, changes in the educational curriculum, and the shift in the function of regional languages. Several efforts have been made by various parties in order to preserve the Balinese language in the context of a multicultural society. Steps that should be taken as preservation tips in the future are packaging the language with local culture, stabilizing diglossia, using Balinese as an introductory subject, training and community development, as well as linguistic research for documentation. With this research, it is hoped that the Balinese people will pay more attention to and preserve the Balinese language. Research related to Balinese is still limited. It is hoped that this paper will be able to contribute to literature studies for parties interested in researching the Balinese language further.

The Role of Cultural Festivals in Fostering Social Cohesion in Multicultural Societies in Brazil

Cultural festivals serve as vital platforms for celebrating diversity and promoting social cohesion in multicultural societies. This study investigates the role of cultural festivals in fostering social cohesion within the context of Brazil, a nation known for its rich cultural tapestry and diverse population. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. In-depth interviews were conducted with festival organizers, participants, and community members to gain insights into their experiences and perceptions. Additionally, surveys were administered to assess the impact of festivals on social cohesion, measuring factors such as intergroup contact, trust, and shared identity. The findings revealed that cultural festivals play a significant role in fostering social cohesion in Brazil. Festivals provide opportunities for individuals from different cultural backgrounds to interact, exchange ideas, and celebrate their shared humanity. Participation in festivals was associated with increased intergroup contact, enhanced trust, and a stronger sense of shared identity. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of cultural festivals as catalysts for social cohesion in multicultural societies. Festivals create spaces for intercultural dialogue, promote understanding, and foster a sense of belonging among diverse communities. The findings have implications for policymakers, community organizers, and researchers interested in leveraging cultural festivals to build more inclusive and cohesive societies.

EMBRACING DIVERSITY: THE ROLE OF MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION IN MITIGATING ETHNIC CONFLICT & FOSTERING UNITY IN PAKISTAN

This paper aims to analyze and synthesize whether multicultural education can serve as a means of easing the ethnic conflict and cultural diversity in Pakistan. The ethnic diversity of nations, languages, and cultures has been a strength and, simultaneously, a weakness due to conflicts. This study submits that it is possible to coordinate multicultural education in schools and make it important tool for improving understanding amid different communities. This paper relies on the review of current policies concerning the education systems and proposals drawn from case studies of multicultural societies to provide an understanding of the way forward for Pakistan in responding to the multicultural realities in its education systems that how incorporating multicultural perspectives into the curriculum can help students appreciate different cultures and reduce biases. According to studies, minimization of conflict amid different forms of identities is possible by adopting presented cultural-structural model, that may boost positive attitude toward multiple Pakistani identities and promote the enhancement of the social cohesion in the country.

Moral nexus of unmet needs and care in person-centred care for patients with advanced dementia in a multicultural society.

Patients with advanced dementia experience multifaceted vulnerabilities because of their diminished capacities for decision making. The dominant versions of person-centred care (PCC) emphasise patient preferences and autonomy, which often undermines a recognition of their distinct unfulfilled needs. Determining whether an individual autonomy conception of personhood applies to patients with advanced dementia is morally problematic from various theoretical perspectives and leads to the one-approach-fits-all problem when caring for this patient population. The availability of patients' advanced directives varies depending on their cultural backgrounds. The goal of the study is to argue that PCC, with a focus on relational autonomy, should be the first step for caring for patients with advanced dementia. The study engages in a critical exploration of inclusivity and diversity in ethical thinking within a framework of PCC and uses philosophical argumentation to assess the viability of a relational autonomy conception of PCC. By taking relationality seriously, especially in caring for patients with advanced dementia in a multicultural society, and by considering the moral nexus of unmet needs through the perspective of PCC, we can resolve the problem of one-approach-fits-all in dementia care.

Social Entrepreneurship in Social Work in Multicultural Societies: A Majority and Minority Lens

Social Entrepreneurship in Social Work in Multicultural Societies: A Majority and Minority Lens

Co-Constructing “Third Spaces” for Engagement with and for Minoritized Community Groups and Environmental Scientists

The demographics of environmental and Earth scientists are not representative of the UK’s multicultural society. We sought to widen diversity and engage equitably through two related engaged research projects, “Walking the Walk” and “Landscape Stories.” This paper offers a critically reflexive account, based on the methodology of duoethnography, of how we co-constructed a “third space” with and for minoritized community groups and environmental scientists. We sought to create the conditions for inclusive leadership informed by connectedness, respect, humility and intentionality. We argue that for environmental and Earth science research to be more equitable and inclusive, members of project teams should be engaged and more representative of wider society. Following this, collective work to create third spaces requires: respect for diversity and different forms of expertise, knowledge starting points, power dynamics and esteem; a willingness to make connections across disciplines and sub-cultures, actively listening and (un)learning from different (knowledge) cultures; and a commitment to be respectful of hidden and manifest difference, exploring purpose and gaps in knowledge in more holistic ways.

Harmonising Worship and Noise: Community Responses to Loudspeaker Regulations in Bali and Manado

In multicultural societies, the regulation of worship loudspeakers, particularly those affecting the Muslim community, has sparked significant debate, ranging from strong support to outright rejection. This study seeks to explore the social tensions arising from these regulations, focusing on the culturally diverse regions of Bali and Manado. Employing a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with religious leaders, community figures, and local government officials to gain insight into the community's reactions. The findings reveal two predominant responses. On one hand, some view the regulations as unnecessary, believing that the established tradition of tolerance has allowed diverse religious practices to coexist peacefully without significant issues related to loudspeakers. On the other hand, others feel that the loudspeaker use is excessive, disturbing their rest and seeking quieter times. Some members of the Muslim community perceive the regulation as discriminatory, noting that other religious groups might also use loudspeakers at higher volumes. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers on how regulatory interventions can influence social harmony in diverse environments, highlighting the importance of adjusting regulations to respect religious diversity and equitably manage public auditory spaces.

Humanities as a Means to Understand Social Inequality: A Multicultural Perspective

This article examines the role of humanities education in understanding social inequality through a multicultural perspective. The main issue of this research is how the humanities can bridge the gap in understanding social inequality in a culturally diverse society. The aim of the study is to explore how humanities disciplines, such as literature, philosophy, and history, can provide deep insights into social inequality as well as how multicultural perspectives can enrich this understanding. The research method used is a qualitative approach with literature study and library research. Data is collected from a variety of primary and secondary sources that include academic articles, books, and research reports relevant to the topic. The results of the study show that humanities education offers a critical analysis of the social and cultural structures underlying inequality. A multicultural perspective in the humanities helps identify the different forms of inequality that arise in different cultural contexts and provides tools for more inclusive and holistic analysis. These findings underscore the importance of integrating humanities theories in educational curricula to increase social awareness and empathy for issues of inequality, as well as to encourage more just and equitable action in a multicultural society. This research makes a significant contribution to understanding how humanities education can be an effective means of combating social inequality.

Transcending Borders in Orhan Pamuk’s My Name Is Red

Orhan Pamuk's novel My Name Is Red (1998) blurs the territory-bound art, cultural fences, and national boundaries to promote fraternity and connectivity through the two-fold strategy of obliterating conflict and encouraging philanthropic sensibility. This paper has examined the crossing of the divide in the massive migration, international trade, and refugee problems of the border postulated by Alejandro Lugo, Atzili Boas, Victory Konrad, and Anne-Laure Amilhat Szary’s border theory that emerged post-1990. Based on the insights of this theory, this paper argues that the ultimate resolution for the ongoing struggle among the people from diverse political, geographical, ethnic, and anthropological backgrounds in the third space is through the elimination of the territorial differences and the advancement of cross-cultural assimilation and humanitarian approach. This study uses qualitative research design to validate the argument that the territorial boundaries between the nations trouble social synchronization. The study’s finding reveals that the arts such as paintings transcend political division and promote the cultural adjustment in the liminal space. Istanbul is the setting that represents the transitional landmark between Southeast Asia and Europe as a cross-cultural and cross-border notion. The painting of the natural objects and the human procession merges the Eastern and the Western essences. The novel surpasses the conformist boundaries and endorses a multicultural artistic society without any religious, cultural, and geographical discrimination. Therefore, art functions as a tool to promote the aura of art, and such a sensation becomes the tool for the extension of psychological, physical, and social well-being.

Interaction Processes between Health Professionals and Moroccan Immigrant Women in Reproductive Healthcare: The Disagreement in the Encounter-A Qualitative Study.

Spain is a multicultural society and has been defined by several authors as an immigrant-receiving country. Moroccan women of childbearing age constitute 28.20% of Moroccan immigrants. describe the interaction processes that occur between health professionals and Moroccan immigrant women in reproductive healthcare. Qualitative descriptive study based on Grounded Theory. Thirty immigrant women from Morocco and thirty-five health professionals participated in the study. Specific dimensions of analysis were defined and used to design the interview guide and focus groups. In the healthcare encounter, the construction of an effective communicative space between the people involved in it is essential; however, the language barrier and the interpersonal relationships characterized by silence in the encounter make a meaningful healthcare relationship difficult for those who participate in it. There are communication and relationship problems that alter healthcare and the professional-patient relationship which require the use of translation programs, the incorporation of intercultural meters, and the development of cultural competence in health professionals.

The challenges of confronting racism as a social disease by second-generation Indians in social and professional space in Australia: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT This qualitative study investigated the experiences of racism encountered by second-generation Indian Australians in social and professional domains through semi-structured interviews with 30 participants aged 15–25 years living in Melbourne and Sydney. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants. Data was analysed thematically using critical race theory. Key findings included experiences of racism in educational settings, which had psychological impacts. Moreover, racism also influenced family life and career opportunities, reflecting tangible consequences. The study underlines distinct challenges that emerged based on gender, religion, geographic location and socio-economic background, highlighting intersectionality. Racism was found to permeate multiple life spheres through institutional and individual biases. The findings highlight that anti-racism strategies addressing educational, workplace and community inclusion in an intersectional framework, thereby advancing multicultural societies of equity and belonging for all.

The Value of Pancasila as an Ideological Based for the Development of the Legal System in Indonesia

Indonesia is a multicultural society with personal and group consciousness. Legal progress in Indonesia was influenced by cultural and community awareness. Indonesia is a multicultural culture with diverse legal awareness. Although Indonesia has many cultures, the equation should be applied to construct a legal union. Pancasila is the intellectual foundation for Indonesia's unitary state; hence, passing a national law must be founded on it and the 1945 Constitution as the supreme rule to achieve national unity. This study will show that the law enacted today does not reflect Pancasila and impressed liberalism because it is draughted and enforced on the basis of normative thinking rather than empirical thinking about the case and plural society. Methodology Pancasila and culture's role in legislation that impacts the other will be thoroughly examined in this article. Thus, for the welfare of the nation and public awareness of the law, this study will explain the need for systemic and continuous legal systems that reflect the Indonesian nation, namely Pancasila-based legislation.

The Role of Health Literacy in Patient-Physician Communication: A Scoping Review

Objective: Our objective was to explore the influence of health literacy on patient-physician communication. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of academic papers using PRISMA guidelines and guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute. We explored health literacy competencies in studies by examining methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of patient-physician communication and identifying barriers and facilitators to communication in the broader context of relevant health literacy domains. Results: In total, we identified 51 papers that met inclusion criteria. Barriers to effective patient-physician communication were physicians’ lack of understanding of patients’ health literacy capacity, changes in healthcare delivery (time constraints and transforming technology due to COVID-19), and language barriers. Facilitators to communication included patient health literacy level, patient trust in the patient-physician relationship leading to decision-making, telehealth/digital health services, health literacy tools, and patient education materials. Conclusion: Future research, policy, and practice should aim for comprehensive assessment of all health literacy domains crucial for patient-physician communication. Delineating health literacy competencies is essential given increasing emphasis on technological resources in healthcare, culturally and linguistically appropriate care in multicultural societies, and addressing service backlogs precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings may inform educational programs focused on health literacy.

Islamic Religious Education in Building Insight Multicultural

Islamic religious education (PAI) taught in madrasas and public schools is felt has not been one hundred percent successful in making students be tolerant and open towards other communities outside himself. This type of research is a systematic literature review which is carried out by collecting and accumulating research related to community-based total sanitation evaluation. The keywords used for literature searches; "Islamic Education" and "Islamic Education in Multicultural Society". The literature sources used in the research come from online databases, namely Google Scholar and Garuda. the results of this research Multicultural Education is a development process that seeks to improve something that has existed from the beginning or previously existed, developing all human potential, education that respects plurality and heterogeneity, and education that respects and upholds cultural, ethnic, tribal and religious diversity. Multicultural religious learning can instill Islamic values multicultural to participants. So anti-multicultural values such as discrimination and violence can be avoided. Therefore, the learning process of Religious Education Multicultural Islam is recommended to be implemented because it can make things easier achieve the goals of Islamic religious education in forming knowledge, attitudes and students' skills in a unified and balanced manner

VARIASI BAHASA DALAM LANSKAP LINGUISTIK DI KEBUN BINATANG SURABAYA

Linguistic landscape is a linguistic study that examines the use of language in public spaces. Language variation is defined as a form of language use that is different from a speaker. The emergence of language variations is motivated by the existence of a multilingual and multicultural society in Indonesia. This research aims to describe the use of language variations, language contestation, the function of these languages ​​and the sign-making linguistic landscape at the Surabaya Zoo. This research method uses descriptive qualitative with observation and photography data collection techniques. The data obtained is in the form of images containing language signs of the linguistic landscape. The research results found seven language variations at the Surabaya Zoo with three monolingual language variations, two bilingual language variations, and two multilingual language variations. The linguistic landscape sign makers at the Surabaya Zoo are from public and private authorities/individuals. The function of the linguistic landscape at the Surabaya Zoo namely, as a marker for buildings and rooms; as a medium of guidance and information; as a medium of prohibition and warning; as well as as a medium for distributing advertising. Keywords: linguistic landscape, language variations, surabaya zoo.

The Mediating Role of Communication in Fostering Religious Tolerance within a Diverse Society

This study aims to examine the influence of social prejudice, local wisdom, social piety, religious identity, and communication behaviour on religious tolerance in Sidoarjo Regency. It focuses on the mediating role of communication behaviour in strengthening or weakening the impact of these variables on religious tolerance. A quantitative research approach was adopted, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from respondents in the Sidoarjo Regency. The data was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test the relationships between the variables and the mediating role of communication behaviour. The results show that communication behaviour plays a crucial role in mediating the influence of social prejudice, local wisdom, social piety, and religious identity on religious tolerance. While social prejudice, local wisdom, and religious identity do not have direct significant effects on tolerance, their impact is enhanced through effective communication. Communication behaviour, characterised by openness, empathy, and support, positively influences religious tolerance, whereas ineffective communication diminishes the positive effects of other variables. The findings suggest that strategies to improve religious tolerance should prioritise communication behaviour. Policymakers, educators, and community leaders are encouraged to implement programmes that foster open dialogue, empathy, and respect among diverse religious groups to strengthen social harmony. This study provides new insights into the role of communication behaviour as a mediating variable in the relationship between social factors and religious tolerance, offering practical implications for enhancing tolerance in multicultural societies.