Perspectives on Human Differences

Posted: October 23rd, 2013

Perspectives on Human Differences

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Perspectives on Human Differences

Question One

            Koppelman talks about two inconsistencies in the American values in his book. One inconsistency is that although Americans have always emphasized individuality, the American society has quite consistently demanded conformity. The other inconsistency is that American values always emphasize on equality yet America itself is considered to have the highest economic and social inequality levels if compared to other industrialized societies (Koppelman, 2011). The value inconsistency that is most damaging to the society is the one that emphasizes on equality. This is because inequality is increasingly contributing to the widening of the gap between the wealthy and the poor. This wide disparity of income can be damaging to any economic system in the world. It would be more difficult to change the behaviors to match the values compared to changing the values to match the behaviors. This is because trying to get some one to change his behaviors towards certain values often involves indoctrination (Koppelman, 2011). This is ineffective because the individual may learn what is right but choose not to do it.

Question Two

My complexity is defined by how I am identified. The question, “Who am I?” draw its answers from the adjectives that describe my personality and identity and is in no way inclined to my social status (Koppelman, 2011). My identity includes my name, the color if my skin, the language I speak and the level of education that I currently posses. Consequently, my social status plays no role in describing who I am (Koppelman, 2011). However, I would not mind stating that I am highly sociable and outgoing and I intermingle freely with any person regardless of their race or ethnicity.

References

Koppelman, K. L. (2011). Perspectives on human differences: Selected readings on diversity in America. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.