Better social policy means more tolerance
Often, the media, religion, societal
history and culture are cited as
influences over individuals' attitudes
towards homosexuality.
But as assistant professor of sociology at McMaster University, Dr. Tina Fetner, argued on October 21 at Fanshawe College, attitudes can be the result of more quantifiable influences such as a nation's gross domestic product and its social policies.
Through a 30 to 40 year study, Fetner, along with colleague Robert Andersen, examined how countries with a higher GDP tended to be more tolerant towards homosexuality. Their study was related to the idea of postmaterialist theory, which was originally developed by Ronald Inglehart. The theory suggests that as countries get richer, they are able to move beyond the concern of material goods such as ensuring food is on the table. This freedom opens up "time to think about bigger values ... and more room to consider social justice issues," she said.
For example, 69.2 per cent of those surveyed in the study in Canada find homosexuality justifiable. The U.S. had 54.8 per cent and the Netherlands was at the top with 90.5 per cent.
However, using the GDP as a measurement for tolerance is not necessarily 100 per cent accurate. In the study, Fetner examined countries and their individual inequality issues. Just because a country, overall, is prosperous, does not mean class systems don't exist and can influence the attitudes of its citizens.
If the country has high inequality, it's likely the citizens will have less tolerance, said Fetner.
One factor in affecting society's inequalities is its social policies. Those countries with inclusive and fair policies will find its citizens have better attitudes towards homosexuality, she explained.
In addition to social policy, the idea of living in a trusting society also affects attitudes. Less trust means greater inequality. People will tend to demonstrate specialized trust, trust in certain groups and people they already know, which develops an "us versus them" paradigm. That idea can create conditions for scapegoating, said Fetner.
By creating more inclusive policies, attitudes are easier to change. This has been demonstrated on a smaller scale.
"Attitudes change in the workplace after policies have been put in place," she said.
Essentially, while tolerance can be measured to a degree by GDP, countries can be looking at their own social structure, policies and practices to help make their societies more inclusive and tolerant.
But as assistant professor of sociology at McMaster University, Dr. Tina Fetner, argued on October 21 at Fanshawe College, attitudes can be the result of more quantifiable influences such as a nation's gross domestic product and its social policies.
Through a 30 to 40 year study, Fetner, along with colleague Robert Andersen, examined how countries with a higher GDP tended to be more tolerant towards homosexuality. Their study was related to the idea of postmaterialist theory, which was originally developed by Ronald Inglehart. The theory suggests that as countries get richer, they are able to move beyond the concern of material goods such as ensuring food is on the table. This freedom opens up "time to think about bigger values ... and more room to consider social justice issues," she said.
For example, 69.2 per cent of those surveyed in the study in Canada find homosexuality justifiable. The U.S. had 54.8 per cent and the Netherlands was at the top with 90.5 per cent.
However, using the GDP as a measurement for tolerance is not necessarily 100 per cent accurate. In the study, Fetner examined countries and their individual inequality issues. Just because a country, overall, is prosperous, does not mean class systems don't exist and can influence the attitudes of its citizens.
If the country has high inequality, it's likely the citizens will have less tolerance, said Fetner.
One factor in affecting society's inequalities is its social policies. Those countries with inclusive and fair policies will find its citizens have better attitudes towards homosexuality, she explained.
In addition to social policy, the idea of living in a trusting society also affects attitudes. Less trust means greater inequality. People will tend to demonstrate specialized trust, trust in certain groups and people they already know, which develops an "us versus them" paradigm. That idea can create conditions for scapegoating, said Fetner.
By creating more inclusive policies, attitudes are easier to change. This has been demonstrated on a smaller scale.
"Attitudes change in the workplace after policies have been put in place," she said.
Essentially, while tolerance can be measured to a degree by GDP, countries can be looking at their own social structure, policies and practices to help make their societies more inclusive and tolerant.
