Much has changed since Thomas Paine claimed, “Society in every state is a blessing” (Paine, 1776, p.1). This claim must be reviewed in light of the continuing growth of technology and its consequences to society. As technology advances,  cultures will come together  with different morals, values, customs and languages.  While many theories arise from this blending of cultures, some of the more prominent theories include the functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic Interactionism. An analysis of how these theories influence modern society as they relate to adult learning will expose valuable insight into how a multicultural society can come together and continue to be a blessing.

Functionalists Theory

Functionalists examine how culture functions in society according to a set of values. These values will influence the culture (Theoretical Perspectives on Culture, 2023). Thus, in a multicultural society with a wide variety of values, the functionalists would be interested in how those differing values can function as a whole. Those cultures whose values resemble each other may function well. However, differing cultures may lead to cultural clashes and result in segregation. In such a fractured society, learning will be impared even among adults whose values differ. In a cohesive society on the other hand, the citizens would share similar values.  Thus, according to the functionalists theory, the learning experience would be focused on values of society as a whole and not on the values of the individual as a unique member of a unique culture.

When two cultures come together with different values, their ability to function as a social unit may be compromised. If the differing cultures cannot learn how to tolerate each other, then they may avoid each other and create a segregated society. Such a splintered society would require the establishment of regulations and policies to assure the continued function of society.

To ensure that a segregated society will function properly, policies must be established to prevent conflicts among the divided cultures. While these policies may help the separated society function as a single unit, a segregated society will always be susceptible to conflict. When those policies fail, conflict among the separated cultures may give rise to civil disorder.

Conflict Theory

The conflict theory of multiculturalism not only keeps the different cultures separated, but it allows some cultures to thrive over others. Conflict theory divides the people according to privileges in society. Those privileges are often based on “class, gender, race, and age” (Theoretical Perspectives on Culture, 2023, para. 4). In such a society, the cultures are separated physically, economically, and socially. While those privileged cultures live in the more desirable areas of society, the less privileged must strive in less desirable sections of society. The Southeastern states of the US before the Civil Rights Movement was a prime example of a conflict society. Jim Crow laws established policies to keep the less privileged people separated from the more privileged people (History.Com Editors, 2023). Consequently, adult learning for some citizens becomes inferior to those who do not enjoy the privilege of living in a society founded on conflict theory. This theory, however, gave rise to the conflicts that fueled the Civil Rights Movement and began the change to a more inclusive society where the people learn how to interact in harmony regardless of cultural differences.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionists focuses on the interactions between people in society. In a multicultural society, language barriers may prevent the people from fully interacting, but policy making is not responsible for this type of separation. All objects and actions in society, according to the symbolic interactionists, are symbols interpreted through language. However, in a multicultural society where people speak different languages, those symbols that represent the objects and actions will have different interpretations. Such barriers will burden and confuse those symbolic interactions, keeping the people separated as before. If, and only if, those language barriers can be erased, then a multicultural society can coexist. However, breaking those barriers will take motivating the people to open their hearts and minds to new and exiting cultural experiences.

Although different cultures have different customs and means of communicating, they all share a sense of music and art. If members of society could learn how to appreciate other cultures’ music and art, then the people will be more motivated to learn about other cultures and languages. The love of beautiful music, poetry, and art will open the hearts and minds of the citizens of a multicultural society and inspire them to interact in peace and harmony.

Conclusion

Having analyzed the prominent theories of multiculturalism,  including the functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic Interactionism, it is easy to conclude that adult learners still have a lot to learn before we can live in a blessed society where government rules and regulations are at a minimum and the people are left to live and love in a free world without the burden of cultural divide. While the functionalist theory demands that we share the same values, diluting the uniqueness of the individual, the conflict theory mandates a level of tyranny to keep the differing people separated and safe from conflict. The symbolic Interactionism, on the other hand,  proposes that all objects and actions in society are symbolic interactions interpreted through language. Therefore, if the citizens of a multicultural society were to learn each other’s languages, then Thomas Paine’s claim that “Society in every state is a blessing” (Paine, 1776, p.1) would more likely come true.

 

 

 

Reference

Multiculturalism: Definition, Theory, and Characteristics. (2022). Sampoerna University. https://www.sampoernauniversity.ac.id/understanding-multiculturalism-definition-theory-and-characteristics/#:~:text=Multiculturalism%20is%20a%20society’s%20way,the%20%E2%80%9Csalad%20bowl%E2%80%9D%20theory.

History.Com Editors. (2023). Jim Crow Laws. https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/jim-crow-laws

Theoretical Perspectives on Culture. (2023). CUNY. https://opened.cuny.edu/courseware/lesson/126/student-old/