Concomitant effects of over-population are the increase of opposing forces acting within the multi-cultural society. Whereas in the past immigrants were supposed to adapt themselves to the conditions of their new home-country, in a matrist society such demands cannot be enforced anymore.
The autochthonous population has the advantage of being for centuries exposed to the idiosyncrasies of their particular society. Only the off-spring of the new inhabitants will have learnt in a natural way to adapt themselves to its pace.
Most newcomers hail from communities where family ties and religious observance were part of their culture. These customs are considered outdated in their new country where secularisation has taken place. No wonder that they will experience the fresh community's mores (or lack of them!) as harsh and even satanic.
The orthodoxy of their religious views will be assailed by western education. Outmoded fundamentalism in Christianity has already made way for a great part to liberal views. Not so in Islam. In the Middle Ages Islam was the torch bearer of higher learning, yet it has moved since then towards a stagnant orthodoxy.
To foreigners Western morals will be considered lax, especially those governing sex. The education of allochthonous children, because of language difficulties and absence of traditional parental authority, will lag behind. High percentages of unemployment and drift towards criminality are the result. These problems will be overcome, but until that time tax the society and its resources to a great extent. It may be hoped that the autochthonous population will show that kind of patience. Especially if Professor Bernard Lewis of Princetown University estimate comes true that towards the end of this century the majority of the population of Europe will be Muslim. This is bound to bring about explosive situations.
Interesting and exciting the impact of technological advances on cultural shifts across the globe. Yes, resources, tolerance and understanding are stretched within societies, but the gifts of diversity, if receptive, can enrich lives and grow awareness of those different from ourselves. Within these shifting of cultural boundaries, though, come demand and need for flexibility and respect of parameters different from our own. There is a quote that fits well -- we cannot continue to do what we've always done and expect different results...the cultural landscape, worldwide, is changing, and no doubt will bring myriad reactions, experiences and situations!
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