Parents’ social distance towards other nationalities as determinant for intercultural dialogue

Abstract

The article is an attempt to determine the social distance towards people who are parents towards other nationalities, as a basis for dialogue between cultures. It is worth noting that the issue of social distance towards other nationalities or religions is particularly important in the era of globalization in relations between the local community and the immigrant population. Distance diagnosis was performed by analyzing ratios: country, city, neighborhood, neighbor and family, taking into account socio-demographic variables such as gender, place of residence and age. The diagnosis was complemented by an analysis of the attitude of respondents to the persons of selected 26 nationalities. Analyses show that the parents interviewed generally exhibit a positive or neutral attitude towards people of other nationalities. There were no negative attitudes. The attitude of the parents open to multiculturalism gives hope to the attitude of hospitality and tolerance towards other young people. A consensus on the multiplicity of cultures emerges. Such an agreement on tolerance, acceptance and understanding for difference does not arise automatically. Such attitudes should be taught to children from an early age.