Xenophobia

I understand your query( I think) about whether or not it could be "natural" to not like what is unfamiliar or different to you( or 'us')

However, I cannot see how it is justified to label "natural" a dislike of others based on the fact that they come from somewhere else or are different( whether the difference is origin, religion, race, inclination , neighbourhood, football club, etc.)

Shouldn't we call this "ignorance"?

But I suppose ignorance is the "natural" state of humankind. Finding justification for this reduces us back to Neanderthals......

Finding understanding for certain behaviours isn't the same as finding justification.

As an example, looking at the murderousness of other primates (we are by no means the most murderous primates) helps us understand why some human beings have murderous tendencies — we evolved along the same lines until, in evolutionary terms, very recently, and clan recognition and protection, which includes fighting off and even killing non-members of one's clan, was both needed and useful for survival — in no way justifies murder committed by humans now.

Current fear, dislike or antagonism towards people from other countries can be explained, but not justified, by our evolutionary history.

You have to understand something before you can deal with it.

PS We are not more evolved than Neanderthal people. We just survived where they didn't. The reasons are not fully understood.

It's wrong to speak of Neanderthal people as if they were somehow inferior to us.

or more aggressive

Thank you for this thatbags .

But whilst we can understand the point about it being "natural"( perhaps) for some to dislike those they do not know, we do not have to accept it as the "natural" state for all humans. I still feel "ignorance" is an apt descriptor of not liking what you do not know.

I agree, rinouchka, and I think education is the only lasting way forward.

Another dictionary definition of xenophobia is 'Fear, hatred, or mistrust of that which is foreign, especially strangers or people from different countries or cultures.'

Perhaps it's more natural to fear the unfamiliar rather than necessarily dislike it.

bags Harari. ( Sapiens 2011) argues that there were numerous homos, and none survived except us because we were the most aggressive.

I think the fear of, and prejudice against, some other races/religions in the world can be understood. We see dreadful deeds being carried out in the countries of origin, and we are inclined to tar all with the same brush. Yes, it is perhaps ignorance, but it is also understandable. It must be fought against and that can be very hard.

We've got to be more evolved than neandertals!!!

I see what you mean though Bags.

I don't know if it is education so much as mixing with 'others' that breaks down barriers and the feelings of 'otherness'. Our local cubs were invited to visit the local Mosque (which is just a big room over some shops. There they were met and entertained to food, music and songs by the community - their main hosts being a couple of Scouts who are of that faith. They came away with a better understanding of their Muslim neighbours style of dress, diet etc. and were surprised to find that they had far more in common (curries, Scouting, sports and schools, etc) than differences.

Also, one of the big successful groups of the YES campaign in the Scottish Referendum was 'Celtic and Rangers Fans for YES' when fans from both rival clubs came together amicably under a common banner.

I am totally opposed to faith schools and educational segregation by gender or religion, believing that schools should be secular, the intake based on those who live nearest to the school. It is impossible to perceive people as 'other' when you have attended the same schools, joined the same social/sports clubs, met their wider family regularly since you were 3/4/5 years old.

Mixing with others IS education.

Should have also added the value of school exchanges where pupils swap places with their counterparts from other countries often resulting in life long friendships and certainly enlightening for all concerned. Being given an indepth insight into one other culture leaves young people with a more open mind about all other cultures.

Do you think there should be no muslim schools Granny23? I doubt if that will ever happen. Same with Catholic schools. So long as they are properly 'Ofsteded' and, hopefully, mix with non muslim schools in the area, they will have to be accepted. Andwhy not?

I agree with most of these comments.

What I am struggling to understand is, if there are school exchanges and the likes, how do these things not work necessarily in the wider communities?

There are areas of the UK where certain nationalites congregate almost to the complete exclusion of others. So something is not working somewhere.

Also is "natural", "ignorance"?
Not so sure.

Do you think that the various nations, races etc each have their own different characteristics and behaviours?
This is where I have a problem - it's some of these behaviours that I don't like, rather than individual people.
Applies to my own nation too - is that the same as xenophobia?

It's very different to dislike someone who has done you wrong or are your rival as in a football club there is a reason for the dislike or distrust ( they might beat you again) There could often even be a historical reason for dislike of other areas . centuries ago there was bad feeling between my town and the next nearby one over a fishing war there is still banter between the towns, however when there is no real reason then it becomes racism or xenophobia A needless hatred which grows and grows for no real solid reason
We have to bring our children up to be more open hearted than our generation and the ones before We need to mix, to learn, to accept, Fear and ignorance is no excuse nowadays we have to accept anyone unless they do us harm

What behaviours are you referring too Tricia ? there are good and bad in all peoples, all religions, all countries disliking a bad action doesn't make you xenerphobic disliking a whole race or whole country because of some people actions does

It depends how you have come to acquire this knowledge of behaviours you profess not to like. If it is after meeting a range of people from that nation or group, then it is your right not to like their custom/manners/beliefs. We live in a free country.
If, however, it is based on stereotypes and not on direct experience or knowledge, then it is xenophobia.

Much has been said about education reducing fear of others and, hence, xenophobia. Within this concept can be placed the learning of a modern language other than our native one, something that is sadly on the decline in the UK. There are no xenophobic linguists, IMHO.
Does anyone on GN know of one?

Ankers go to the Spanish coast and watch all the Brits living together having their English breakfast in their English bars while they watch the English Channel on Tv Let's not call the kettle black

All nations are probably similar in that regard BlueBelle, but all I can do is guess.

its taught from families,the hatred of football teams and religions and colour,the religion isn't the problem it once was in the West of Scotland but there are still what my husband calls knuckle draggers who spout bile at football matches ...every week .and GET AWAY WITH IT,There has been an effort to curtail it with the "OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR ACT" which has had these knuckle draggers complaining that its their right to sing offensive songs and use foul language at matches oh and they want alcohol allowed back too .We can only hope they dont succeed as life after an old firm game is no street party now but was much much worse before the act and the alcohol ban.As to seperate schools ,in Scotland 100 or more years ago there was a need for them ,nowadays I believe a lot of us would prefer to see our kids all go through the same gates to school and keep religion for home and church