multicultural Hot Words

Ethnicity...

Definition

Ethnicity involves a collection of values, beliefs and behaviours associated with an ethnic group or community. Ethnicity can influences the lives of members of the group to varying degrees and can include a wide range of values. Not everyone of a particular ethnicity will subscribe to all these values.

It is rarely recognised that, consistent with this definition, there is an Australian ethnicity which includes a wide range of values, not all of which are held by all Australians.

What makes it hot?

A simplified idea of an ethnicity is called a stereotype - which is like a cardboard cut out of selected elements of a much more complex and often contradictory situation. Stereotypes can be used to make assumptions about people of particular ethnicities that can result in their unfair treatment.

Date Added:

10 March 2002