Xenophobia is the fear and denial of something new, unusual. Often this fear develops into hostility, disrespect and even hatred for the subject.
In the modern world, social xenophobia is widespread: people of one nationality hate others on the basis of differences in religion, appearance and customs.
Xenophobia is actively supported and developed in some states, therefore, recently it has been developing more and more around the world.
The online publication estet-portal.com reveals the cards, what causes the manifestation of xenophobia and how to overcome it .
1. Why xenophobia develops in the modern world
2. What types of xenophobia are the most widespread
3. Overcoming xenophobia is easier than it seems
Why xenophobia is developing in the modern world
The reasons for the development of xenophobia are deep-rooted. Since the dawn of mankind, people have been afraid of strangers, because they could take away a piece of bread or land.
This feeling has swept through the centuries and is actively manifested in some people. At the biological level, the instinct to preserve oneself and one's own kind as a species is preserved. There is a connection between a person and an animal, because even animals are afraid of another species.
The instinct of self-preservation, inherent in all Homo sapiens, pushes people to refrain from the unfamiliar and unusual for their kind.
Xenophobia develops from unpleasant past experiences with strangers and strangers. Then this dislike is often passed on from generation to generation, developing in other people.
Sometimes xenophobia is caused by social pressure and the fashion of "hatred", because fears and phobias are very contagious.
If your friend feels dislike for something, then you don't even notice how you begin to feel the same feeling.
On rare occasions, a person is born with some kind of nervous disorder that manifests itself in xenophobia.
Which types of xenophobia are the most common
Humanity is subject to various phobias. Xenophobia, in turn, has a lot of manifestations and some of them have a separate name.
Among the most common xenophobia are:
• Racism – worldview based on the inequality of nations. It is claimed that one nation is superior mentally and physically to another. A person can be insulted, hit or killed just because his skin color or body type is different from another.
• Religious xenophobia. Manifested by people's hatred of another faith. There are many examples of terrorist attacks, wars based on religious hatred in history: the Crusades, St. Bartholomew's Night, terrorist attacks in Europe.
• Anti-Semitism – hatred and persecution of the Jews. Phobia has an ancient history, the most prominent example being during the Second World War.
• Chauvinism – rejection of other nationalities. People of a different, alien nationality are considered a lower class.
• Ethnophobia – humiliating attitude towards other nations.
• Handicapism – neglect, disrespect for persons with disabilities.
• Sexism – discrimination against the opposite sex.
Distinguish between aggressive and covert forms of xenophobia. With a hidden form, the xenophobe simply expresses his dislike towards the object. The aggressive form is characterized by the fact that a person begins to call for action to destroy, kill, maim an unpleasant person.
Overcoming xenophobia is easier than it seems
If the phobia is at the physiological level and turns into an aggressive form, it is advised to consult a psychologist.
With the help of hypnosis techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and gestalt therapy, xenophobes are rebuilt into positive thoughts in relation to the hated object.
An important role is played by the social development of people, especially children, because their consciousness has not yet been formed.
For this you need:
1. Conduct lectures and preventive work on the inexpediency of xenophobia.
in institutions2. Teach cultures and religions of other nationalities. The less new and unrevealed about this or that subject remains, the more xenophobe begins to feel comfort and confidence.
3. Identify and counteract groups that spread xenophobic ideas.
4. Provide comprehensive support to victims who have suffered at the hands of extremists.
5. Cultivate religious tolerance in people.
6. Involve the organs of influence and the media to disseminate information about the dangers of xenophobia.
Xenophobia is inherent in every person to a certain extent, since it is genetically inherent in us. But some people know how to overcome it, while others try to develop it.
To get rid of the fear of the new, you need to read more foreign literature, watch educational programs about other cultures. The best way to overcome xenophobia is by traveling.
So you can personally make sure that people of a different nationality or religion are no worse than us, and on the contrary, they can teach something new and interesting.
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