Chapter 12 Diversity and Your Relationships with Others

Living in a World of Diversity 12-2 Our world is increasingly interconnected and interdependent By the mid-21st Century, more people in the United States will be of African, Asian, Latin American and Arabic descent than those of Western European descent Diversity encompasses racial, gender, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical characteristics Additional diversity traits include religion, education, income level and individual differences LO 12.1

Living in a World of Diversity 12-3 LO 12.1

Race, Ethnicity, and Culture 12-4 Race Traditionally, biologically determined physical characteristics that set one group apart from another Ethnicity Shared natural origins or cultural patterns Culture The learned behaviors, beliefs and attitudes that are characteristic of an individual society or population, and including the products that they create LO 12.1

Building Cultural Competence 12-5 Cultural competence is learned It is a knowledge of other people’s backgrounds, customs, perspectives and history Provides a basis for civic engagement Permits us to act with civility toward others It allows us to make the most of our contribution to society LO 12.2

Diversity – Prepare Accepting diversity as a valued part of your life 12-6 Accepting diversity as a valued part of your life We form relationships more easily with people who are similar to us However, we can grow and be challenged when we seek out people that are different from us We can learn what motivates other people and become aware of new ways to think about family, relationships, earning a living and the value of education Learning to accept others who are different from you is an important job skill LO 12.2

Diversity – Organize Exploring your own prejudices and stereotypes 12-7 Exploring your own prejudices and stereotypes Prejudice – the evaluations or judgments of members of a group based on their being members of that group Discrimination – the behavior toward members of group based on their being members of that group Stereotypes – beliefs and expectations about members of a group that are held because they are members of that group LO 12.2

Diversity – Work Developing cultural competence 12-8 Developing cultural competence Study other cultures and customs Travel Participate in service-learning Don’t ignore people’s backgrounds Don’t make assumptions about who people are Accept differences LO 12.2

Diversity – Evaluate Ask yourself the following questions: 12-9 Ask yourself the following questions: How do I make judgments about people? Who are my friends? Do I openly express positive values about diversity? Am I learning about other cultures? Am I evenhanded in my relationships? Do I recognize that all people have the same basic needs? Do I look down upon other racial or ethnic groups because I take pride in my own? Do I look at things with different perspectives? LO 12.2

Diversity – Rethink 12-10 Understand how your own racial, ethnic and cultural background affects others Regardless of background, other students at your school share similar concerns about success, and life goals Bridging differences can create lasting social ties LO 12.2

Building Lasting Relationships 12-11 Making friends Invest time in others Reveal yourself Let others know you like them Accept others as they are, not as you would like them to be Show concern and caring Be open to friendships with people who are very different from you Not everyone makes a good friend LO 12.3

Building Lasting Relationships 12-12 The R-Word: Relationships Trust Honesty Mutual support Loyalty Acceptance Willingness to embrace change LO 12.3

Communicating in Relationships 12-13 Communicating well is a blend of talking and listening Sometimes silence is the best support you can give Improve your listening skills Stop talking! Demonstrate that you are listening Use reflective feedback Ask questions Admit when you are distracted LO 12.3

Loneliness 12-14 One can be happy alone or lonely in a crowd. Loneliness is subjective. Strategies for overcoming loneliness include: Become involved in campus activities Find a study partner Know that you’re not alone in your loneliness Take advantage of orientation and first-year student activities Take a job on campus Remember that loneliness is typically temporary LO 12.3

Avoiding and Handling Conflicts 12-15 Remember to make “I” statements Remember that conflict is not necessarily bad Conflict resolution tips: Stop, look, and listen Defuse the argument Get personal Listen to the real message Show that you’re listening If you are angry, acknowledge it Ask for clarification Be specific Don’t think it’s a zero-sum game End the relationship if emotional or physical abuse occurs LO 12.3

When Relationships Are Over 12-16 Time can work to heal the heartache of a lost relationship Other strategies: Stay busy Accept your feelings Talk with a friend or relative Write about the relationship Talk to a professional LO 12.3