Life on the Periphery - Case Study Example

Life on the periphery Abstract The Asia- Pacific region encapsulates an area representing a vast diversity in religion, ethnicity and culture. Acculturation aspects and intercultural relations are the crucial elements and main interests in psychology and sociology, including various other disciplines. This paper investigates aspects involved in intercultural living. Suggestions can be drawn for programmes and policy development . It outlays examination of possible implementation for advancing multicultural living integration, and accepting the importance of mutual accommodation. Overview Spectrum of the Asia-Pacific region Central Asia After the Soviet Union collapse, each of the former Asian republics Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan remained bolted to authoritarianism that was marked by intolerance for ethnic and religious minorities. Inter ethnic conflict and violence occurred during the 1991 independence. The five countries increased in homogeneity through minority emigration groups, mostly dominant nationalities of the neighbouring states and Russians. Minorities have exited due to policies, laws and discrimination practiced against them on language basis. Uzbekistan clamped Islamic fundamentalists. The expression ‘global war on terror’ drew responses of American criticism after the massacre in May 2005 in Andijan that killed 750 protestors. . South Asia In the region of South Asia the abuses on minorities in the range of ethnicity, politicization and religion and have fuelled conflicts on a long term basis. Human displacement on a massive scale accompanied the sub-continent 1947 partition of the Indian sub-continent. This was followed by subsequent wars between India and Pakistan. , leaving India’s Muslim minority in a state of vulnerability amidst a dominating Hindu population. The divided region of Kashmir has suffered mainly due to Pakistani and Indian politicians turning its disputed status into a political symbol that is highly charged. Muslims and ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka were caught between rebel forces and Government fights. They were targeted for disappearances and abductions. The 1979 Soviet Afghanistan invasion that resulted in a United States proxy war worsened the state of inter-ethnic relations. After the 2001 ousting of the Taliban regime (Pashtun dominated) (consequences of the September eleventh terrorist attacks), Afghan warlords, have become the main obstacle to the country’s democratic consolidation . A partner in the ‘global war on terror’, the Pakistan regime has participated and tolerated attacks on the Pashtun villages along the Afghanistan border. Even though legal protection exists for India’s minority, turbulent democracy did not succeed to secure minority rights. The Dalits (low caste within the Hindu majority), have suffered marginalization in private and public sectors pervasively. In the neighbouring state of Nepal, government has demonstrated limited provision of protection, and furthermore Dali women were victims of sexual exploitation by the men from higher castes. Since 1947, when Pakistan was founded, there has been an increase of suppressed ethnic and religious minorities and indigenous peoples, including the Kihals, through official Islam enforcement. The development strategies that were imposed did not regard rights of indigenous and minority groups. After the 1971 split between Bangladesh and Pakistan, settler communities in Bengali attacked indigenous settlements of the Jumma, which was tolerated by the government. East and South-East Asia China, the world’s most populous country is confronted with threats to their human rights through the Han nationalism, Authoritarian government as well as rapid development. Beijing defines minorities strictly, leaving a few groups unrecognised. These are mostly in the regions encompassing richness in natural resources. The government on a routine schedule handles minority groups as threats or potential separatists of the Communist regime. Buddhist Tibet leadership was driven to exile and replaced with leadership that was communist regime-friendly, as well as Hans Chinese mass immigration rigged by government. The Falun Gong movement was suppressed by the government together with Christian communities, and Xingian Muslim Uyghur communities within the rhetoric of ‘war on terror’. The efforts in defeating radical Islamists threats have created challenges for the minorities in various states within the region. The Philippines government has pursued war against the Islamist militants, but linked fights also targeted activists in opposition . The terrorist bombing that took place in Bali in 2002 concluded with the Indonesian government labelling all perceived as opponents , ‘terrorists’. Religious and ethnic Indonesian minority groups were at the mercy of a Javanese dominated central government , renowned for corruption during the reign of General Suharto for three-decades . Ethnic and sectarian tensions exploited by the Indonesian military, prevented close examination of human rights abuses in the past and maintained its influence. In Burma, after British independence in 1948 ethnic conflict followed and the military regime in place since 1962 has targeted the minority communities. Indian and Chinese mass immigration of populations to countries throughout the South-East of Asia led to resentment economic success and discrimination from locals notably in Malaysia and Indonesia. Oceania New Zealand and Australia minority issues centre on the approaches to the oldest communities of indigenous peoples as well as new migrants. Australian Torres Strait Islanders and Aborigines remain marginalised and trapped in social problems inclusive of violence and alcoholism as well as sexual abuse involving women and children. There was government effort until the year 1969 to integrate Aboriginal children forcibly. Current efforts by Government to overturn the victories of land rights by Aboriginals contributes to a growing climate of distrust for official initiatives taken in order to curb the social ills at a chronic level. Maori people in New Zealand have higher rates of unemployment and a lower rate of life expectancy. Improvements in these areas and a 1975 process of truth and reconciliation created new hope for possible reconciliation and a basis to deal with land claims of the Maori groups. Another initiative was the public apology of the Prime Minister of Australia to the Indigenous Australians reflects willingness of historical injustices to be acknowledged and reach a transition of reconciliation. Muslim and Asian communities in constitute of about 8 % of Australia’s population and they have faced experiences of harassment and been affected by the emphasis on ‘Australian-nests’ by recent government Ethnic Problem Categorization Many Asia – Pacific region countries share a common history of colonisation. The consequences were ultimately resulted in a socio–economic and indigenous population employment dilapidated status. The negative impact presently continues to persist and expand to other groups in minority sectors. Minority groups are affected with negative outcomes living in predominantly Western- centric social structures, economic systems, topics, research methodology and language. Within this context psychological, and social services and various other disciplines have a key role playing responsibility to engage in the understanding of acculturalisation , cultural shock processes, discrimination, prejudice , general well being ,economic systems and mental health affected. Unique in geographical and historical context of ethnic problems, there are several ethnic cleavages. Some are based on community or tribal differentiation which may be rooted in politics and interethnic competition, prior the colonisation era. The second ethnic conflict type was developed when external ethnic groups, Chinese and Indians, were taken by colonial powers and some locals were left on farms. Arabs, Indians and Chinese travelled Asia for millennia as merchants or pedlars. Predating colonialism, they seldom developed resident populations. The third ethnic conflict type evolved when European settlers displaced and confronted local primitive populations, primarily in New Zealand and Australia. In Asia those of mixed ethnic backgrounds form minority groups that face tremendous discrimination and complex problems. Chinese dominating local economies where they reside represent a unique ethno economic cleavage. Government’s face various types of policies and are required to address them. In Pacific regions conflict between different ethnic groups exist as longstanding tensions that need examination. Concerns are currently being expresses at high levels of political leadership regarding the impact on Pacific societies and cultures in globalization aspects. During the Sixth Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders in January 2001 that took place in Hawaii, tensions were discussed between local and cultural and global values and analyses of the balance of communal and democratic liberal principles in societies affected. Theories, models, research and practice in disciplines have been western-centric dominated. With a recent surge of practitioners from indigenous and minority groups, these limitations are recognized. Acculturalisation and Intercultural Relations Intercultural strategies acculturation model (Berry, 2010): Acculturation styles are inclusive of integration, assimilation and marginalization at the ethno cultural group level and marginalization, segregation and exclusion at societal levels. Berry states ‘although one group is dominant over others, successful outcomes require mutual accommodation among all groups and individuals in a diverse society’ (page 97) When multiculturalism is not a reality, adaptability within the four strategies of ethno-cultural groups is questionable. Berry’s model is an improvement of previous unidirectional cultural models as it accounts for possible interaction between styles and societal norms. This model raises pertinent questions regarding reasons of preferences for accultural paths available the existence of societal norms, resulting in minority groups choosing the ethno cultural group strategy. Assimilation may work, but not integration when the societal norm is ‘segregation’ The following factors need to be taken into account regarding acculturalisation strategies chosen: The motivating, benefitting factors of a dominant culture adapting to accommodate minority groups. The dominant culture has advantage and privilege of institutional power and control as real choice exists in decisions of accommodating. What percentage of real choice exists for minority groups in deciding between the four acculturisaion strategies? The role of social identity in decision making, accultural strategies. Minority groups differing in appearance, religion, language or values from society experience interactions in contrast to minority groups that share similar languages, appearances, religion and values, and reasons the same acculturisation styles are chosen. Lastly refugee groups and immigrants have differing motivations for choosing places of settlement which will affect the acculturalisation style chosen. A literature review assesses the limitations and strengths of acculturalisation research. Padilla and Perez (2003) included further aspects that were inclusive of social cognition, social identity, social stigma and cultural competence . Padilla and Perez (2003) state ‘individual differences and personality characteristics facilitate or retard acculturalisation (pg 40). Acculturalisaion is examined through social justice and anti-oppression in NGO(2008). The issue of dominance over institutions and resources over minority groups is an issue that needs to be examined. The emergence of non western and Pacifica researchers is integral. Multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies have created major policy making challenges that seek to manage the diversity, without an exacerbation of conflict and violence and creating a beneficial balance to all parties involved .It requires a struggle against inequalities and social inequalities. References John W. Berry (2010). Intercultural Relations and Acculturation in the Pacific Region. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 4, pp 95-102. doi:10.1375/prp.4.2.95 Ngo, V. H. (2008). A critical examination of acculturation theories. Critical Social Work, 9(1). Retrieved from http://www.uwindsor.ca/criticalsocialwork/a-criticalexamination-of-acculturation-theories Padilla, A. M., & Perez, W. (2003). Acculturation, social identity, and social cognition: A new perspective. Hispanic Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 25(1), 35–55. doi:10.1177/0739986303251694 Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology / Volume 4 / Issue 02 / 2010, pp 95-102 Preview Read More