Ethnocentrism facts for kids

Ethnocentrism is when someone judges other cultures using their own culture as the main standard. It means they see their own way of life, including their language, customs, religion, and behavior, as the "normal" or "best" way.

An ethnocentric person might think their culture is superior and that other cultures should change to be more like theirs. This way of thinking can make it hard to understand and appreciate differences between people.

The word "ethnocentrism" was first used by a sociologist named William G Sumner. He described it as seeing your own group as the center of everything. All other groups are then judged based on how they compare to your own.

Understanding Ethnocentrism

It's natural for people to grow up believing their own culture's values are the right ones. However, ethnocentrism can lead to misunderstandings or even conflict between different groups. It can make people think that their traditions, beliefs, or ways of doing things are the only correct ones.

For example, someone might think their country's food is the only good food, or that their language is the only important language. This happens because they are judging others based on what they are used to in their own culture.

Ethnocentrism and Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures. One of the main goals of anthropologists is to avoid ethnocentrism. They try very hard to understand other cultures from the point of view of the people who live in them. This idea is called cultural relativism.

Cultural relativism means that a person's beliefs and actions should be understood based on their own culture, not judged by another culture's rules. Anthropologists know that they must set aside their own cultural standards if they want to truly understand another society. This helps them learn about the many different ways people live around the world without bias.

Images for kids

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  Polish sociologist Ludwig Gumplowicz is believed to have coined the term "ethnocentrism" in the 19th century, although he may have merely popularized it.

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  William Graham Sumner

See also

In Spanish: Etnocentrismo para niños