Understanding Diversity

 

UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY

 

I.

DEFINITION

Diversity is more than just tolerating differences. It is respecting, appreciating, and understanding the varying characteristics of individuals. There are marked differences that are visible. these are  physical characte characteristics ristics like the color os skin, color color of hair, hair, shape of eyes, nose, height, weight, gender, age, socioeconomic class, occupation, and many others.

 

I.

DEFINITION

There are other differences brought about by one’s beliefs, mind-set, values, sexual identity, intellegence, personality, and others that are not easily evident or are invisible. Visible and Invisible characteristics of diversity are not necessarily connected because there are times when a visible characteristics like the color will easily be related to a disposition or trait.

 

I.

DEFINITION

Diversity is from the Latin word divertere, which means to turn away, separate, oppose. Presently, people recognize and consider the differences of each person as important. We all live in a global village that brings about changing demographics demographics both in the work force and education.

 

II.. LODEN’S DI II DIVERS VERSIT ITY Y WHE WHEEL In 1990, Marilyn Loden, an American Writer Writer,, and Judy Ros Rosener ener,, a professor at the graduate school in the University of California, Irvine developed a framework to respond to flourishing divergence in America’s America’s labo laborr force. The Wheel consists of primary or core and secondary dimensions of diversity. diversity. The categories put forward the effects of these differences on a person’ pers on’ss beliefs, expectations, and life experience. The dimensions are the components that comprise the whole person.

 

II.. LODEN’S DI II DIVERS VERSIT ITY Y WHE WHEEL Loden and Rosener’ Rosener ’s Diversity Wheel  The primary or core dimensions are in the inner circle. These are the stronger ones. These are the charcteristics we were

 The secondary dimensions are in the outer circle. These characteristics are also part of our social identity, but they can

 born with established  by significant experiences we had or  people we interacted

change or be discarded as our life experiences impact us.

with.

 

II.. LODEN’S DI II DIVERS VERSIT ITY Y WHE WHEEL Loden presents four principles for managing our own behavior in a global context and interacting successfully with people globally. globally. 1. Respect - treating others the way they wish to be treated. 2. Inclusion - making certain everyone on the team is truly a part of the team’s decision-making process. 3. Cooperation - actively helping others succeed rather than competing or attempting to one-up someone. 4. Responsibility - managing personal behavior to maintain a diversity positive environment and and questioning inappropriate behavior when it occurs. occurs.

 

III.. ABILITY III ABILITY (AND (AND DISABIL DISABILITY ITY)) AS A DIMENS DIMENSIO ION N OF DIVERSITY Another dimension of diversity that is significant is the dimension of ability and disability. disability. Ability refers Acording toofthe English Dictionary to the  possession theCollins qualities required to do something; necessary skill or competence, or power. Disability , on(WHO) the other is defined byfor th theeimpairments, World World Health Organization as hand, the umbrella term activity limitations, and participatin restrictions, referring to the negative aspects of the interaction between an individual and that indiviudal’ss con indiviudal’ contextual textual factors.

 

III.. ABILITY III ABILITY (AND (AND DISABIL DISABILITY ITY)) AS A DIMENS DIMENSIO ION N OF DIVERSITY

A person’s disability makes him/her a unique individual who is, at times, shunned from places and actvities. •

They have to be acknowledged as part of the spectrum of diversity, diversity,

•

They to be recognized human who should not behave discriminated against,asbut ratherbeings understood, accepted, and tolerated. •

they have to be accorded their rights.

 

III.. AB III ABILI ILITY TY (AN (AND D DISAB DISABILI ILITY) TY) AS A DIMENSION OF DIVERSITY •

Disabilities have to be seen as a natural part of life and a natural part of diversity.

•

People with disabilities have to be perceived and accepted as people with distinct abilities

•

They have to identify themselves as having disabilities so that the world can accept them and create avenues for them to live in.

 

IV.. THE DILEM IV DILEMMA MA OF DIVERSIT DIVERSITY Y In this age if fast paced development where diversity plays a unique role, there are still challenges that confront a lot of people who have  been identified identified as ““diff different.” erent.” Discrimination Discrimination issues gender, laws, age, and still aboundaround inspiterace, of charters, andintellect and policies that uphold diversity.