Two countries – two perspectives. Chosen areas of social distance of Spanish and Polish students towards Others in the multicultural context

Abstract

Although diversity is not a new phenomenon in the world, it is subject to continuous transformations that take place due to many changes. The issue of multiculturalism has been presented in the European context and introduced from the perspective of the analysis of social distance among students, caused by Otherness. The thesis is based on research carried out among students from two purposefully chosen universities (Spanish and Polish), presenting different approaches to the Other. In particular, the thesis analyses the students’ perception of people of a different sexual orientation, race and religion, expressed in reviews concerning those groups. The study has attempted to answer the question: What is the students’ attitude towards Otherness? The whole discussion was embedded in a theoretical framework of multicultural education. The article aims to create the ground for reflection on the modern phenomenon of multiculturalism, as well as build the critical overview and perspective of social life in the presented countries. A sketch of Spanish and Polish multiculturalism presented by the younger generation does not exhaust the subject. On the contrary, it can provide inspiration for further investigation within this area.