Pros And Cons Of Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is a global phenomenon running across all races and ethnic groups. Ethnocentrism is defined as the tendency to view others from the basis of one’s belief systems, values, and norms (Omohundro, 2008). It is the tendency to perceive other cultures from one’s perspective and failing to appreciate the cultural diversity. Ethnocentrism is common in both the developed and developed countries. In the United States, for instance, there is a tendency of the Americas to think that their high standards of living come out of hard work, discipline, and dedication (Omohundro, 2008). As a result, Americans are likely to think that the poor people from the rest of the world are so because they are lazy and lack ambition. This kind of judgment may not necessarily reflect the truth on the ground, since some countries have more opportunities than others. Ethnocentrism is considered to be natural because people, regardless of their ethnicity, have the tendency to perceive their culture to be superior to that of other groups. For instance, most cultures from the developing countries, such as Africa, reject issues of to do with homosexuality, sex education in school, …show more content…
Firstly, ethnocentrism is vital in fostering social cohesion and unity in a given culture. It assists people in appreciating their cultural identity. There is a correlation between ethnicity and self-esteem is a given ethnic group. People learn to appreciate their own cultures, hence causing a sense of belonging. Ethnocentrism is imperative, especially when a certain group of people are marginalized and oppressed. The cohesion and unity existing in the group helps in addressing the social injustices. In the United States, for instance, ethnocentrism among the African Americans has played a major role in addressing issues of racism, economic inequalities, and other forms of social