Reflection on Self-segregation
Throughout history, smaller groups of people have often created small groups that consist of their own people, within the wider society. Self-segregation is usually a voluntary choice made by the group (Cui, 2013). Self-segregation is one of the many ways of group formation. The process is localized, that is, it involves the members of the same group within a locality. Self-segregation of groups often lend itself to the group’s history and is mostly seen in groups deemed to have been oppressed/ discriminated upon, considered different from the rest of the community or are a minority within the community that they are found. There are many reasons for self- segregation and the practice comes with its pros and cons; none the less, the demographic changes in the society, are also reshaping self-segregation.
There are many reasons for self-segregation, varying from one community to another. According to research, some indigenous communities self-segregate for preservation of culture and customs (Cohen, Orbuch & Cohen, 1990). These communities keep away from interacting with the outside world to avoid influence and erosion of their ways. In some communities, different levels/ hierarchy within the society makes it hard to integrate with those considered of a higher ranking, e.g. Hindu castes. This makes people from the different levels to keep to themselves, promoting self-segregation. Generational differences have also been seen as factor that promotes self-segregation. New age children feel different and make no attempt to integrate; furthermore, they have been brought up knowing that they are different. An example is the younger Chinese generation born after the one child policy who are often viewed as privilege and made to feel different (Cui, 2013). Another example is given by The Johnsons, where young American blacks are brought up knowing that they are different and because they did not witness the struggle for civil rights, they do not make attempts to enjoy the fruits of this liberation by integrating (2013).
In addition to these, social pressure where a community collectively spreads thoughts so being different forces people from the community to self-segregate when in the wider society. (The Johnsons, 2013). The other reason cited is ethnocentrism (Cohen, Orbuch & Cohen, 1990). Some religious communities are also said to self-segregate to maintain religious purity e.g. Jews and Gypsies who marry from within their religion.
Even though there are many reasons for self-segregation, the practice has some advantages and also disadvantages. Where necessary, segregation helps communities in maintenance of tradition, religious practice and culture. Segregation may also promote growth through establishment of own services to serve the community. The economy of the group may also benefit since segregated communities tend to trade from within. These are some of the advantages of segregation.
However, there are several disadvantages of segregation. To begin with, it disrupts benefits that would otherwise come through interaction and integration. According to Massey, communities enrich each other through integration (2004). Seclusion means that the community maintains itself as is. In addition to this, self-segregation propagates behavior identified with the group with nothing to break the cycle through assimilation (Massey 2004). When people integrate, they learn new ways of doing things; failure to do so leads to same way of doing things throughout. Self-segregation also promotes differences in society and leads to feelings of victimization and sometimes conflict.
In the recent past, the society has experienced changing demographics. The composition of many societies has adopted new patterns throughout generations. One aspect of this change is the aging of the society. According to the Center for Public Education (CPE), “the median age in the United States had reached 37.2 years of age, up 1.9 years from the 2000 median age of 35.3 years”, (Center for Public Education, 2012). This means that majority of the population here are old. In other parts of the world, majority of the population are the young. Apart from aging, Demographic changes is seen in the great diversity due immigration (CPE, 2012). Many societies have had immigration of foreigners who seek jobs or asylum, many acquired citizenship or permanent residency, which has greatly changed the outlook of many societies. These changes impact the society and influence self-segregation.
The impact of changing demographics on self-segregation acts to promote it while some act to reduce self-segregation (Massey, 2004). In some societies, the older generation is the propagators of self-segregation, therefore, when such societies are full of young people, they bring in a different line of though which promotes inclusivity rather than self-segregation. On the other hand, some societies, like America, may have the young propagating self-segregation more than the old and since the older generation is more than the young, self-segregation tends to be rampant. Immigration has also brought in many different people, with the number of immigrants nearly outdoing local communities in some areas; this can introduce the idea that it is normal to be different which may help reduce self-segregation.
References
Center for Public Education (2012). The United States of education: The changing demographics of the United States and their schools. Accessed, 3rd March, 2016. Retrieved from, http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/ The-changing-demographics-of-the-United States-and-their-schools.html
Cohen, B., Orbuch, T., & Cohen, B. (1990). Introduction to sociology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cui, H. (2013). Institution, Culture, and Ideology: The Self-segregation of Chinese International Students at Wesleyan University. Weslayan University. Accessed 9, March 2016. Retrieved from http://wesscholar.wesleyan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2109&context=etd_hon_the es
Massey, D. (2004). SEGREGATION AND STRATIFICATION: A Biosocial Perspective. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 1(01). http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1742058x04040032
The Johnsonian,. (2013). From integration to self-segregation | The Johnsonian. Mytjnow.com. Retrieved 4 March 2016, from http://www.mytjnow.com/from-integration-to-self segregation/
