NCJ Number
12555
Date Published
1973
Length
328 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF MATERIALS DESIGNED FOR TEACHER TRAINING ON THE NATURE OF DIVERSITY IN THE U.S., THE DESIRABILITY OF DIVERSITY AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF SOME OF THE NECESSARY LIMITATIONS ON IT.
Abstract
IN THE FIRST SECTION THE AUTHORS DISCUSS SOME OF THOSE FACTORS WHICH HAVE MADE FOR DIVERSITY IN AMERICAN LIFE AS WELL AS THOSE WHICH HAVE TENDED TO REDUCE THIS DIVERSITY. THE READER WILL FIND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE TENSION THAT HAS ALWAYS EXISTED BETWEEN THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF DIVERSITY AND THE DEMANDS FOR MORE UNIFORMITY. IN THE SECOND SECTION THEY EXAMINE THE VARIOUS ARGUMENTS THAT ARE MADE FOR AND AGAINST DIVERSITY. MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE THAT DIVERSITY IS DESIRABLE, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM THINK IT DESIRABLE FOR THE SAME REASONS, AND STILL OTHERS ARGUE THAT IT DOES HAVE CERTAIN COSTS. HAVING DISCUSSED THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF DIVERSITY, THE MATERIAL TURNS TO THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH DIVERSITY MUST BE LIMITED. EVEN THOSE WHO THINK THAT DIVERSITY IS DESIRABLE ARE COMPELLED TO ADMIT THAT IT IS NOT THE ONLY THING THAT IS DESIRABLE. DIVERSITY MAY COME INTO CONFLICT WITH OTHER GOALS THAT A SOCIETY WISHES TO PURSUE, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS SOCIETY MAY DECIDE TO SACRIFICE SOME DIVERSITY IN ORDER TO ATTAIN THESE OTHER ENDS. FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE LAW IN A FREE SOCIETY SERIES, SEE NCJ-12570. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)