Diversity is the presence of a wide range of variation in the qualities or attributes under discussion.
Critics of diversity claim that in the political arena, diversity is a code word for forcing people to tolerate or approve people and practices they find repugnant. Critics also point out that diversity programs in education and business often emphasize minority groups (e.g., homosexuals) and do not give equal time to non-minority groups (heterosexuals). They claim that pluralism is a more accurate term for the presence of variation, and that, under the banner of "diversity," groups actually forbid criticism of protected groups by restricting what they call hate speech.
Diversity describes the structure of ecological communities. This does not only involve the number of species, but also the number of individuals of each species. Several Diversity indices have been established, amongst them the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index is frequently used.
Issues of cultural diversity, equity, religion and spirituality, have formed the basis of human interaction throughout time. The exploitation of the characteristics that distinguish one person, family, groups, organization, and nation from the other, have often been exposed through the understanding of the common bonds which have united us during the course of history.
We are distinguished and united by differences and similarities according to gender, age, language, culture, race, sexual identity, religion, geography, and income level--just to name a few. Such diversity challenges our intellect and emotions as we learn to work and live together in harmony. Here, you will discover the many themes that run through this issue and make it unique to the study of human development. (James,2000)
One major theme is that of the globalization of culture....................
