THE 4 MAIN FORMS OF COEXISTENCE - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The different forms of coexistence and coexistence have existed since the first human societies developed. However, they became popular after the two World Wars and the Cold War.

A policy of peaceful coexistence was even developed, which referred to relations between the United States and the Soviet Union (two of the nations involved in the Cold War).

This policy was characterized by the principles of non-aggression, respect for sovereignty, national independence, and non-interference in the internal affairs of each State.

It should be noted that coexistence not only refers to relations between States, but can occur at any level of society: between individuals, between families, between ethnic groups, among others.

Different types of coexistence

Among the concepts of coexistence are:

1. Exist in the same time and space (coexist) following the principles of mutual acceptance.

1. Learn to recognize and accept the differences of the people or groups with whom you live.

1. Have a relationship in which neither party seeks to generate evil in the other.

1. Interact following the principles of respect, tolerance and non-aggression.

1- Forms of coexistence according to the attitude of one group towards the other group

According to the attitude of one of the groups towards the members of the other group, the coexistence can be passive or active.

Passive coexistence

Passive coexistence occurs when the relationship between individuals or groups is based on the principle of tolerance; In other words, those involved in this type of coexistence do not completely accept the differences between them, but rather decide to cope with them.

In passive coexistence, one of the parties involved has more power than the other (which is called “unequal distribution of power”); Added to this, there is little interaction between groups and social inequality.

In this sense, the principles of social justice do not apply in this type of relationship. There may even be agencies and institutions that maintain oppression in one of the groups.

Although it is true that passive coexistence takes place in a more or less peaceful environment, the unequal distribution of power does not allow conflicts to be resolved in a satisfactory way for both parties.

Active coexistence

In this type of coexistence, relationships are characterized by recognition, acceptance and respect for the differences that exist between the individuals or groups involved.

In active coexistence, all members of the relationship have the same opportunities to access resources and opportunities that could arise.

In addition, this type of coexistence promotes peace, social cohesion based on the principles of justice, inclusion, equity and equality.

This environment of equality is supported by the institutions and organizations that operate in societies where there is active coexistence.

2- Forms of coexistence between couples

Couples can choose different ways of living together. Here are a few.

Marriage

Marriage is a social and legal institution through which two people are legally united.

There are certain laws that regulate marriage, for example: that the spouses are of legal age, that the spouses are not close family and that neither of them is married to another person.

The decision to marry must be made freely, without coercion of any kind. In some countries, forced marriages are considered void.

With regard to legislation around marriage, 23 countries have legalized same-gender marriage.

These countries are: Argentina, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, United States, France, Wales, England, Ireland, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and Uruguay.

Domestic partnership, common-law union, or domestic partnership

It is said that a couple is in fact when the members are united only by an affective and not legal affinity and live in the same house or in the same physical space.

Because these relationships are very common in society, States have been obliged to establish certain laws that protect these couples, as well as each of the individuals in the event of the death of one, abandonment, among other scenarios..

In many countries, domestic partners enjoy the same privileges as married couples.

Many might consider divorce to be the opposite of living together. However, in divorced couples with children, the divorcing couple has a duty to continue their coexistence relationships (even though it is not under the same roof) for the good of the children.

It should be noted that it could be the case that one of the parents has full custody of the children. In this case, the coexistence is completely interrupted.

3- Forms of coexistence according to the context in which the interaction takes place

According to the context or environment in which the interaction takes place, the coexistence can be school (if it occurs in an educational institution), family (if it occurs between members of the family nucleus), work (if it occurs in the space of work).

4- Forms of coexistence according to the participants of the relationship

According to the members of the coexistence relationship, there may be coexistence between individuals (friends, couples, co-workers), between groups (family groups, ethnic groups, communities, small societies), between organizations and institutions and between nations.

All these forms of coexistence operate in the same way despite being groups of different dimensions, that is, they are based on the principles of peace, justice, equality and equity.

References

1. Coexisting. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from beyondintractability.org.
2. Coexisting in modern society. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from rotterdamuas.com.
3. Celebrating Diversity: Coexisting in a Multicultural Society. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from abebooks.com.
4. Coexisting and Tolerance. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from colorado.edu.
5. Coexisting. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from heller.brandeis.edu.
6. The Importance of Coexistence. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from elephantjournal.com.
7. The Challenge of Peaceful Coexisting. Retrieved on June 27, 2017, from fountainmagazine.com.