The Dimensions of Diversity Part Two

Dimensions
of Diversity

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Affiliation

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Dimensions
of Diversity

A
culturally inclusive environment requires effective and appropriate
relationships, explicit understanding, mutual respect, and critical
self-reflection. Ideally, such an environment encourages people of different
cultural orientations to freely express their ideas, viewpoints, and opinions.
Diversity sensitizes inclusivity and recognizing people’s differences and
commonalities by coming to terms with variable attitudes, beliefs, and
expectations and garnering comfort with differences (Manoharan & Singal, 2017).
As a result, people have been socialized and programmed to behave in specific
ways, making them prone to being victims of stereotypes and discrimination. The
concept of diversity is classified into primary and secondary dimensions,
whereby exploring such differences should be done in a positive, safe, and
nurturing environment. Both dimensions emphasize the understanding and
extending beyond simple tolerance towards accepting, embracing, and
acknowledging the diverse dimensions of Diversity of every individual. Primarily,
the concept of Diversity, culture, and inclusivity being watered down should open
opportunities for disadvantaged groups in the society and find remedies towards
offering improved wellbeing, fairness, and equal access to the minority groups.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the various stereotypes pertained to
primary dimensions, highlight their impact, and how the dimensions may be taken
into account when advocating for marginalized and underrepresented groups.

Stereotypes associated with primary dimensions

Diversity
constitutes both primary and secondary dimensions enlisting diversity
characteristics of process information and stimuli. The primary dimensions
refer to the most visible and readily observable dimensions: race, gender, age,
ethnicity, mental and physical abilities, characteristics, and sexual
orientation (White et al., 2015). Stereotypes play a hazardous role in preventing
people from understanding the various layers and experiences without making
biased assumptions. In most cases, stereotypical beliefs about a certain
category or class of individuals are fixed and overgeneralized. This is because
stereotyping implies that an individual possesses a set of features and
characteristics that we presume are held by all members of that specific group.

Gender stereotypes are common in many
societies around the globe. For instance, during childhood, girls are supposed
to play with dolls while boys should play with trucks. Also, there is color
stereotyping wherein girls are more inclined to prefer red, purple, and pink
colors, while boys are directed towards blue and green. Boys should not wear
dresses or other clothes associated with the female gender.Girls
are thought to be better at reading, whereas boys are thought to be better at
analytics, statistics, and calculations in their youth. In society, ladies are
obliged to be well-behaved and , whereas boys are expected
to act out without scrutiny. (Drake et al., 2018). Boys and males, according to
society, are expected to present their masculinity through violence and
aggression, while girls are required to avoid confrontational circumstances.
Particularly, bullying is understandable for a boy who does not engage in force
or aggression. Likewise, girls are expected to be skinny and beautiful for
males to find them more attractive. In the phase of adulthood, society has
conditioned women to believe that they are defective and abnormal if they do
not desire children. The assumption that women are innate nurturers while men are
natural leaders in society has been perpetuated by culture. Another perennial
stereotype regarding women in society is that they do not require equal
remuneration since males are tasked with taking care of their families and
providing for their basic needs (Drake et al., 2018). Also, women who have children
are less committed in their workplaces than women who do not have children.
Women have been socially conditioned to be too emotional to participate in
specific activities.

Different
races and ethnicities exhibit various racial stereotypes. The African-American
ethnicity is associated with numerous negative stereotypes based on varying
cultural beliefs. For instance, African-Americans race is often identified as
being illiterate as they are considered lazy and often resort to robbery and
violence as a quick alternative to attaining wealth. Media representations
similarly portray them as violent criminals with poor educational and work
prospects (Loury, 2021). In the United States, cases of African-Americans being
killed by law enforcement officers have risen due to such stereotypes.
Europeans are often perceived as drunkards because they enjoy drinking and are
thought extremely violent due to their indulgence and the pioneering slave
trade (Loury, 2021). While Germans are regarded as disciplined and diligent,
their French counterparts are viewed as arrogant and chauvinistic since they
like to flag and boost their French identity.

There
are several age-related stereotypes in society, with some being positive and
others negative. In the contemporary era, especially in North America, aging
stereotypes are predominantly negative, as they as a period of
failing health, loneliness, dependency, and impaired physical and mental
functioning (Kornadt et al., 2017). On the other hand, age stereotypes might be
positive; for instance, people believe old age indicates a high level of wisdom
and affluence, which may change over time and different circumstances. Nonetheless,
perceptions regarding old age are often multifaceted, dynamic, and nuanced,
with varying individual interpretations. Younger people are perceived to be
very creative and efficient in the workplace, while older people are thought to
be ineffective and possess increased memory impairment. Additionally, compared
to the older population, the younger people are stereotyped to indulge in
sexual immorality. According to African culture, when one grows older, one
becomes wiser and more productive because they have experienced many life
tribulations compared to younger people.

The
secondary dimensions of Diversity are critical in determining people’s identity
and contain a greater element of personal choice. They are less visible and
include parental status, marital status, level of income, educational
background, geographical location, religious beliefs, and work experience
(White et al., 2015). The three most significant secondary dimensions which
shape my professional and personal life include my educational background, job
experience, and income levels. As a registered nurse, my educational background
has substantially impacted my career as it is paramount in understanding the
dynamic scope of practice. My professional background has assisted me in
understanding the several procedures and treatment plans necessary in
delivering quality patient care in the healthcare sector.

Primarily,
my nursing professional background is imperative in attaining positive patient
outcomes and patient satisfaction. Another imperative factor in my life is my
work knowledge and experience. These have shaped my nursing career as they are
directly linked with providing nursing care to patients.For
example, certain procedures need to be undertaken by a professional, such as
inserting a nasogastric tube to a patient who has difficulty feeding orally.
Furthermore, my professional experience has been imperative in advancing
career-wise and assuming greater managerial responsibilities. This has
heightened my abilities and confidence in carrying out various procedures
professionally and efficiently. Advancing in my career and role as a nurse
manager has boosted my income level. Consequently, increased levels of income
yield more satisfaction, better standards of living, decreased job-related
stress, leading to improved and positive patient outcomes (Manoharan & Singal,
2017).

The
most underrepresented minority groups include African-Americans and Hispanics
in society in terms of primary dimensions. These ethnic groups are mostly
stigmatized and lag due to socioeconomic differences contemporary
discrimination, which are subtle (Zambrana, 2018). Still, countries like the
United States exhibit systemic racism, making such marginalized groups miss out
on several opportunities. These rooted causes deprive Hispanics and African
Americans of significant opportunities to engage in aesthetic encounters
fundamental to the human condition (Zambrana, 2018). Other factors such as
distrust of the marginalized groups, lack of knowledge in various sectors such
as health and technology, and cultural and language barriers have perpetuated
the racial disparities. Lack of proper education has resulted in poor living
standards and poverty among the underrepresented ethnic groups. I would
advocate and lobby for better education and more equitable access to basic
amenities in response. More employment opportunities and justice will improve
the living standards of the marginalized groups.

Conclusion

Establishing
an environment where diversity is increasingly valued, respected, and
acknowledged is essential in society. A culturally inclusive environment
recognizes different beliefs opinions and fosters effective relationships.
Diversity is categorized into primary and secondary dimensions, shaping human
relations and relationships. The various age, gender, and racial stereotypes
play a hazardous role in society by promoting positive and negative assumptions
about specific groups. The most underrepresented and marginalized racial groups
include the Hispanics and African-Americans, who have been deprived of
equitable access to basic amenities employment opportunities, hence increased
poverty levels. Cultural inclusiveness needs to be emphasized to support and
address the needs of people of diverse cultures.

References

Drake, C. E., Primeaux, S., &
Thomas, J. (2018). Comparing implicit gender stereotypes between women and men
with the implicit relational assessment procedure.Gender Issues,35(1),
3-20.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12147-017-9189-6

Kornadt, A. E., Voss, P., &
Rothermund, K. (2017). Age stereotypes and self-views revisited: Patterns of
internalization and projection processes across the life span.Journals
of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,72(4),
582-592.

Loury, G. C. (2021).The
Anatomy of Racial Inequality: With a New Preface(Vol. 4). Harvard
University Press.

Manoharan, A., & Singal, M.
(2017). A systematic literature review of research on Diversity and diversity
management in the hospitality literature.International Journal of
Hospitality Management,66, 77-91.

White, H. L., & Rice, M. F.
(2015). The multiple dimensions of Diversity and culture. InDiversity
and public administration(pp. 11-31). Routledge.

Zambrana, R. E. (2018).Toxic
ivory towers: The consequences of work stress on underrepresented minority
faculty. Rutgers University Press.