Positive and negative effects of diversity in the classroom
In the age of equality and political correctness, being diverse is becoming the norm for most organizations, in particular schools. The push towards diversity is becoming mainstream and has ended up having several consequences. There are both positive and negative effects of diversity in the classroom.
- Positive effects
Information about different cultures
A diverse class provides a productive environment comprised of different cultures that students get to learn about. Students are also exposed to other aspects such as religion, sexual orientation and race.
Increased sense of maturity
Diversity in classrooms means that students learn to live with other students that are different from them and sometimes possess different opinions. This is especially so with young students, as they grow up, they make friends and learn to let go off their prejudices and profiling caused by stereotypes.
Tolerance and acceptance
The initial culture shock and attitude of students coming from diverse backgrounds become less and less uncomfortable as students learn how to cooperate and work together. This helps them overcome their differences to become more accepting of others in the future.
Learning of new language and culture
Students learning in a diverse classroom sometimes get exposed to more than one language and culture. This plays into their curiosity, and they end up learning new languages and cultures to expand their knowledge base.
- Negative effects
Loss of cultural identity
Diversity can sometimes bring together students with different religious and cultural backgrounds. When this happens, often, students from a foreign country have to learn the history of their host country to fit in. Over time the new students adopt the new culture as they try to conform to the social convention while slowly sacrificing their own cultures.
The decline of teaching quality
Students in a diverse class often have different learning forums that aren’t similar and may fail to understand some concepts due to language barrier. This forces the school to adjust its curriculum to accommodate all students at the expense of others.
Social segregation
It is not unusual for students to band together with other students that share common interests. Sometimes diversity brings about a clash of cultures which may end up bringing together students that belong in the same clique while separating them from the rest. This ends up breeding intolerance and in worst cases animosity among students.
Language barrier
A language barrier may be a problem, especially in a multicultural classroom as communication becomes hampered. It gets worse as students that are mostly affected end up refraining from speaking to both teachers and fellow students.
Lack of freedom of speech
Classes with diverse students have to censor their words as they may be too offensive to other students of a different race, sex, gender, and beliefs.
Increased costs of teaching
Schools have to fund the programs and often hire teachers that are needed to promote diversity in the schools. This includes teaching the rest of the teachers and staff on how to run and take part in the program.
To sum up, diversity in classrooms has a lot of benefits to students but at the same time brings plenty of harm. Deciding whether we should allow diversity in classrooms should be a decision made by weighing both the good and the bad that comes with it. But with all things considered, diversity may be the next step humanity needs to evolve.
