Question 2. What are the characteristics of multiculturalism?


Multiculturalism is a term that can be defined in a range of different ways, but often starts as the state of being in a multicultural society and the policies and practices of a government or organization in which it includes the promotion of the equal participation of individuals from different cultural backgrounds. "Multiculturalism has been one of the most hotly debated public policy issues of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries" (Galais, 2007) with the topic generating many different views and opinions on the positive and negative effects of a multicultural society. With everyone having their own take and varying stance on the topic, it justifies the importance of discussing multiculturalism in today's current society. University students are the balling pot of Australia's future professionals and will eventually be the opinion leaders and public policy creators, so it is important to discuss such issue and allow students the chance to develop informed views. Whether it be during lectures, tutorials, or amongst group discussions, debating and having an open discussion can assist in better understanding multiculturalism, therefore its relevance in today's society can be better understood. It is important to note that Australia has a diverse range of cultures and many of the students within universities are from immigrant families. Multiculturalism has shaped the identity of Australia, and through open discussion, students can begin to understand how historical and political developments have contributed to the transition of Australia being one of the "Whitest Nations" to now having a diverse range of cultures, including the official acceptance of the policy of multiculturalism in 1972 by the Post-World War 2 immigrants from Non-English speaking backgrounds. Discussions on the topic can also enable students to have an understanding of how Australia came to its current status of being a multicultural society by examining international examples such as the USA, Canada, and the UK and comparing them to Australia's multicultural policies and practices. Having lived in a multicultural society, it is likely that students may have experiences or stories to tell about the topic, and discussing these can assist students in putting into perspective their experiences living in Australia. A few key benefits can be derived from discussing multiculturalism. For one, teachers and students alike can be informed on the benefits and consequences of multiculturalism. With enough open debate, light can be shed to find the best policy approach to the status quo and any future policy development. This, in turn, can also facilitate the creation of informed individuals who go on to be professionals, policymakers, and opinion leaders who are able to deal with issues regarding multiculturalism. Informed views can nourish critical thinking and from an economic standpoint; if students' understanding is enhanced, then it is likely to produce better policy and perhaps save costs in the long term.


Cultural diversity has been a well-established value in Australian society. For many decades, it has been the ideal to which Australia has aspired. It is spoken about with national pride and taught as a virtuous quality in schools. However, for the vast majority of Australians who have only ever known a predominantly Anglo-Celtic culture, the prospect of cultural diversity often underlies a sense of trepidation. For many, the idea of racial diversification leads to a sense of cultural insecurity. Yet, the benefits of multiculturalism can be widely seen with the positive benefits it brings to the nation. The thrust of this essay aims to discuss the positive effects of multiculturalism on a nation, in reference to migrants using Australia as a case study. This will be done by giving a brief history lesson of the way multiculturalism was thought of in the early years compared to now. The cultural benefits in terms of achievements, food, art, and community will be discussed. Economic benefits will then be evaluated, especially in terms of growth, labor, global links, minority businesses, and diversification of industry. The ease with which these various nations living within Australia have been able to integrate with each other and the indigenous people will be evaluated in terms of the tolerance and understanding that has ensued. This will show how successful policies and some ineffective have contributed to an overall successful result. One of the overwhelming benefits of multiculturalism is the enrichment that it can bring to a nation's culture. As culture being the totality of ways of living built up by a group of human beings, which is transmitted from one generation to another, it stands to reason that the sharing of cultures will enable a nation to see how others live in different ways. In Australia, the number of different cultures that have been able to live near each other and maintain their own specific way of life is quite considerable. This can be attributed to the success of the recent policies put in place to support migrants in maintaining their cultural identity while still assimilating with the wider Australian community. An example would be the recent wave of Asian immigration and the relative ease that these people have had in finding employment and integrating within the community. This has led to a greater understanding for the native Australian people, with access to the Asian lifestyles and shared experiences working together. The recent moves towards reconciliation with the indigenous people have been notably influenced by the large numbers of migrants from more traditional cultures who have been able to express the way in which their culture retains close links with that of the indigenous people, thus contributing to a better understanding of the indigenous culture.

Multiculturalism is beneficial in terms of shaping the culture itself. It is frequently chastised for blurring cultural boundaries and erasing the distinctiveness of ethnic minorities, resulting in the creation of a single globalized culture. To some extent, this is correct, but it can be interpreted as a poor consequence of existing multiculturalism. It may help establish a new rich culture that incorporates the most fascinating aspects of all the minorities’ traditions involved.

Question 3. What are the benefits of multiculturalism?

The United States serves as a culturally rich country who opens its arms to individuals from many different ethnicities, backgrounds, and life experiences. It seeks to be the melting pot of a blended group of people, providing opportunity and equity for all. Consequently, our educational system is the cornerstone for providing equal opportunity for all persons. Therefore, as the United States continues to be immersed with individuals from various cultures, the educational system must consistently seek to assure that educational opportunities are equally distributed to our students. In order for this task to be accomplished, developing a well-defined illustration of what multicultural education is necessary.

With the rise of trends towards the globalized world, the countries have become open welcoming people from all over the globe. Such openness could not but lead to the outbursts of migration and mixing of cultures. This issue is especially acute in the case of the developed states with higher standards of living and better conditions for employment, obtaining education, and self-expression. When a country is settled with people of mixed cultures, it means that it is multicultural. This phenomenon is known as multiculturalism. It is not long known but has already become a subject of fierce debates. Even though there is a standpoint that multiculturalism is a negative outcome of globalization, I do believe that the positive aspects of living in a multicultural state outweigh the negative ones.

“Multiculturalism” entered public speech in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Canada that focused on unique cultural diversity, nationalities, and ethnicity across the nation. Multiculturalism and Immigration are important factors in the development of Canada to attain a strong multicultural example of economic stability, social and political growth which leads to the emergence of Canada’s identity and culture.

First of all, it is vital to understand the essence of multiculturalism to detect its advantages and disadvantages. The origins of this phenomenon come from migration. It does not really matter what was the reason for it and whether it was forced or desired. The only thing that matters is that people moved from one country and settled down in another. The most significant feature of a multicultural country is not that its population consists of people who have different cultural backgrounds, but the fact that they are recognized and accepted. What is even more crucial is that the interests of minorities are represented in the institutions of power, these groups are integrated into society and public debate, and enjoy rights equal to those of the native people (Maciel, 2014). The primary idea of the multicultural ideology is that the society should strive to reduce intergroup conflicts and appreciate cultural uniqueness (Levin et al., 2012), thus, long for harmony and equality.


Multiculturalism Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

It has become more and more apparent that multiculturalism is a vital key for the survival of the world. Any society can be identified as monocultural, with some degree of accuracy. When a society is demonstrating a steady increase in its support for multiculturalism, it becomes transformed into a mosaic of mixed cultures. Whether you look at the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, you will find that these countries and their peoples have a history of embracing and implementing a tolerant and diverse policy towards the encouragement of a multicultural society. A policy which is introduced through government legislation, and implemented through the inclusion and encouragement of various cultural institutions and societies. For these countries that are attempting to steer a steadfast path to a multicultural society, the first and foremost evidence that they have achieved such a goal can be seen within the cultural enrichment of its peoples. Through the exchanging of customs, traditions, art, clothing, food and language, multiculturalism is able to develop a wide array of knowledge and understanding between peoples. This in turn allows the various peoples to adopt an open-minded approach to new ideas with relation to the varying cultures around them, and this it could be said is the key to developing a more unified society of peoples. With an increase in knowledge, comes a decrease in the fear of the unknown and a decrease in negative stereotyping. All of which can subsequently lead to a more peaceful future for the generations that are to come.

Arguments For and Against Multiculturalism Essay

Multiculturalism is now being practiced in education, allowing teachers to explain ethic diversity and promote tolerance among children. Multicultural education respects and sets up students to grow and prosper in a diverse world (Kalantzis and Cope, 2020). At its core, multicultural education promotes equality, justice, and equity, and it makes philosophical ideals a reality in classroom settings. Multicultural education is meant for schools to provide equal educational opportunities to all of their students. It is a continuous process of assisting students in their academic and private lives as well (Kalantzis and Cope, 2020). By organizing and managing policies, syllabi, and teaching styles, teachers, executives, and school leaders play a significant role in ensuring the integration of multicultural education. Teachers, who value the experiences and views of diverse groups of pupils, are essential to the practice. Multicultural education can be approached in a variety of ways by schools and teachers, with the goal of assisting students in developing good perspectives according to their own cultures as well as the cultures of their peers. Teachers may establish an inclusive classroom that appreciates all students by incorporating culturally relevant pedagogy into curricula and teaching practices.