Cultural and religious differences as a component of the knowledge and views on multiculturalism of parents the central region of Lublin district

Abstract

Positive influence of parents who understand the processes occurring in multicultural societies is certainly conducive to raising intercultural competences of the young generation. This is particularly important at the present time, when international migration processes are intensifying. Their inevitable consequence is the growing diversity of the countries or regions hitherto perceived as culturally or religiously homogeneous. Adequate education plays a fundamental role in the preparation of societies to function in terms of multiculturalism, which is why it is worth noting that it does not start at school, but just in the family home. So the views and attitudes of parents on topics related to the cultural and religious diversity are so important .

The study was aimed to diagnose the knowledge and views of parents from central Lublin district on issues related to multiculturalism. The choice of such a research group resulted from the assumption that to raise the level of social culture towards people of other nationalities and religions, it is necessary to educate the younger generation as tolerant and open to multiculturalism.

It was found that the parents’ knowledge about other cultures and religions - both declared and actual - is rather superficial and incomplete. Referring to the issue of education, the vast majority of respondents expressed the belief that you have to respect the views of people of other nationalities and religions, and the young generation must be educated so that they knew how well coexist with people of other races, languages and religions. At the same time three-quarters of respondents said that their children are raised in this spirit.