Interethnic And Interracial Friendships In Pride And Prejudice By Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is set in England in the late eighteenth century. The novel follows Elizabeth and Jane Bennet’s lives as well as Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. The Bennet sisters are from a lower social class than Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy which is the cause of the problem in the book because of the prejudice in the eighteenth century. After overcoming prejudice, the Bennet sisters fall in love and are accepted by their husbands. If prejudices were eliminated the world would be a better place. People have preconceived ideas of many things, but if there was a way to end these ideas people would be more open-minded. Society should eliminate prejudices to promote a healthier environment for everyone.

By ending prejudices cultural competence will be increased.

“Positive intergroup contact is a necessary condition in prejudice reduction and the development of positive racial attitudes among ethnically and racially diverse groups of children and adolescents.” (Pica-Smith, Poynton). By growing up in interracial groups it lessens the probability of being prejudiced. “In an increasingly global and multicultural society, interethnic and interracial friendships offer important opportunities for children to learn about how children of differing ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds make meaning of the world. These relationships provide spaces in which children can explore and appreciate both the similarities and differences of their identities and experiences.” (Pica-Smith, Poynton). Without these interracial friendship groups the future generations will be extremely prejudice and will not succeed like they need to. With this one simple task people will be more educated and be more aware of their words, if they have friends in different cultures, races, and religions. Interracial groups promote child development without