THE 5 TYPES OF TOLERANCE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS (WITH EXAMPLES) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

There are different types of tolerance depending on the area in which it is reflected. They highlight social, racial, sexual, religious and thought tolerance. Tolerance is considered a social value that allows the generation of a space of harmonious coexistence between people with different characteristics and ways of living.

It is about recognizing the rights of other people and accepting behaviors different from your own. Tolerance is based on the interaction of people with different characteristics. It implies a willingness to avoid conflictive situations and to act in an inclusive way.

The importance of tolerance lies in the conception of spaces of recognition, which undoubtedly generate environments of enrichment, teamwork and progress.

Most common types of tolerance and examples

-Thought tolerance

The basis of tolerance of thought or ideas is to understand the possibility that other people have beliefs different from their own, and to accept harmonious coexistence with these people, despite their thinking being different, and even contrary to what a professed person.

The principles on which a person bases their ideals can be generated as a consequence of different aspects: moral bases from the family, social experiences, academic studies or learning obtained in the workplace, among other scenarios.

Given the different range of beliefs and ideals that people may have, tolerance is necessary to be able to coexist in the same context, and even be able to have the disposition to generate mutual enrichment.

Example

In a country people live together who may have different ideas related to the best way to exercise government.

Among all citizens it is possible to get people who have completely opposite positions, as well as others whose inclination of thought is more conciliatory.

If you want to generate progress for a country, you need to be tolerant of fellow citizens.

Accepting differences is the first step to generate a notion of understanding and understanding, which will lead to recognizing the common objective that exists in this case: to create a productive and harmonious environment in which the citizens of a country can progress and be happy.

-Racial tolerance

Racial tolerance is linked to the relationships that may exist between people of different races or ethnicities. It's about interacting harmoniously with people who have different racial backgrounds.

These origins imply both the physical characteristics of a person and the forms of behavior and codes through which these people develop.

Example

One scenario in which it is necessary to apply racial tolerance is when it comes to the integration of foreign students in an educational institution in a specific country.

Foreign students must adapt to a new culture, and sometimes they must also adapt to a different language and climate.

A broad tolerance will be key to promoting the adaptation of these people to the new environment that is presented to them.

It is scientifically proven that a high level of tolerance will have a positive impact on these foreign students, allow them a better development, and they will have a better academic performance.

-Religious tolerance

In the realm of religion, tolerance is linked to respect and acceptance of different religious beliefs.

Religions correspond to ways of understanding the world and man's relationship with phenomena that are above his understanding.

There are many religions that pose different points of view, and condition the behavior of people.

Since religion is an essential part of many people's lives, being tolerant in this sense is important because it means recognizing and respecting the other.

Example

The greatest example of religious intolerance is framed in the Second World War, when the Nazi party led in Europe the persecution and extermination of different people, especially Jews.

Germany is currently a country that reflects a high level of religious tolerance. As an example of this, the project “House of One” stands out.

This proposal is about the construction in Berlin of a building in which Jewish, Muslim and Christian ceremonies take place.

-Social tolerance

Social tolerance refers to acceptance between people who belong to different social classes.

Historically, there have been many cases of social intolerance, which is reflected in the sense of superiority that some people have over others that they consider to be of lower rank because they have fewer economic resources.

Social intolerance generates resentments, prejudices and fears that lead to an important division between people, which makes it impossible to coexist in harmony, based on respect and recognition of the other.

Example

Universities are spaces in which people have the possibility to interact, obtain a social conscience, come into contact with different types of people and have an idea of ​​what the world is like in terms of variety of thought.

It is possible that people from different social strata coexist in the same university, who are forced to interact, debate ideas, discuss concepts and work as a team.

Social tolerance in this area is essential for good academic performance, and to lay the foundations that support a more inclusive and respectful society towards others.

-Sexual tolerance

This type of tolerance has to do with respect between people of different sexes, and in the search for a constructive coexistence with equal opportunities.

This classification also includes the acceptance of sexual diversity, based on the fact that everyone has the power to decide on their sexual inclinations and on how they perceive their own identity.

Example

In the workplace there is often sexual intolerance reflected in the allocation of lower wages to women compared to men, even when they do the same job and have the same skills.

However, tolerance is increasing given that there are countries that have varied their labor policies, recognizing labor equality between men and women.

An example of this is Norway, which pays all workers the same, regardless of gender.

References

1. Andrade, M. "These are the countries with the highest and lowest pay equality between women and men" (May 7, 2016) in Vice News. Retrieved on September 12, 2017 from Vice News: news.vice.com
2. "Which are the Latin American countries that pay women the best and worst?" (April 28, 2016) on BBC. Retrieved on September 12, 2017 from BBC: bbc.com
3. "What are the most racist and tolerant countries in Europe?" on Antena 3. Retrieved on September 12, 2017 from Antena 3: antena3.com
4. "Initiatives in Berlin for tolerance and religious diversity" (July 1, 2015) in Deutschland. Retrieved on 12 September 2017 from Deutschland: deutschland.de
5. Balint. P. "The importance of racial tolerance for anti-racism" (23 November 2015) in Taylor and Francis Online. Retrieved on September 12, 2017 from Taylor and Francis Online: tandfonline.com