Why Is Diversity Necessary?

Variety adds value to our lives in the areas of physical, financial, and emotional health. When we hear the word “diversity,” we think of race and sometimes culture. It is important to take into account race and culture when discussing ethnic diversity. However, diversity extends far beyond this. Diversity is present in every aspect of our lives and it plays a vital role in our survival.

Nature demonstrates the importance of diversity

Nature is full of different types of animals and plants. This variation between organisms strengthens them and helps them survive. For example if all the trees planted in a park are similar, when one falls ill they will all fall ill too. With planting different varieties, some might thrive while others have to contend with pests.

Think about how much value our biodiversity brings us in terms of food security. I do not like being close to a bee but since it pollinates our vegetable and fruit plants we would not have enough food without it. What do we know about human biodiversity?

Hundreds of years’ worth of intermarriage among royal families for the sake of “purity” has shown high death rates, poor health conditions as well as genetic diseases transmission patterns. Variation within and between organisms results in strength increase.

Diversity is connected with good health

The more diverse an ecosystem is, the less likely that there will be illnesses among plant or animal populations.

A wide variety of plants or animals makes it difficult for pathogens to find where they can best multiply hence resulting in low levels of disease occurrences across such flora or fauna collections. And variety in hosts lowers disease transmission because some species may be less susceptible than others making it unlikely that diseases will be passed on through them all.

Finally, it is important to note that diversity impacts human health as well. A balanced diet has multiple components that enhance physical fitness e.g., regular exercise routines include both aerobic exercise (referred to as cardio) as well as anaerobic exercise (a type of strength training). In addition, we should have a variety of activities that focus on different muscles on different days.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Every good financial advisor will tell you that in order to make wise investments, we must diversify. Overall success chances are increased by financial diversification through spreading risk. If we put all our money into one stock and it fails, then we lose everything.

This rule is applicable to such investments as bonds or real estate as well if the same diversification applies—enough different ways to invest should be covered so that if there are negative downturns in one area it can be offset with stability in another.

Workplace diversity benefits the workplace

Diverse work groups result in more cognitive processing and information exchange according to research. Learning from each other is possible since new ideas and experiences accompany diversity. Solving problems better is associated with bringing in new ideas and perspectives. Dialogue and creativity are nurtured when people work together diverse teams.

The same goes for our culture – diversity is valuable there too. Meeting, living, or working with people who are not like us exposes us to new ideas and alternative ways of thinking. Being with people from different backgrounds and life experiences makes us wonder why we do things the way we do them. It forces people to question their beliefs/values.

Initially, it might feel uncomfortable—“but we always do it this way!”—but it can be liberating. Knowing about other ways of living our lives reveals that there are many ways to do things and the pressure to live by one-size-fits-all method is lifted.

Diversity also has its advantages as far as “groupthink” is concerned. A burning desire to fit into a group and not be different from others may lead to silence or even stifling of alternative thoughts. As such, group members think in the same manner.

Groupthink is at best a drudgery and at worst a danger. For instance, when senior advisors in politics want to belong to the crew or be ‘loyal’ to those above them they choose not challenge decisions—they engage in groupthink leading to bad decisions. Being open to diverse ideas makes one less likely to fall for the trap of not questioning and believing that there could be only one way of doing something.

Literally, diversity also adds taste! Cultural expansion gives us much joy. Mayans found cocoa in Mexico, Ethiopians discovered coffee in Africa, Chinese made wine 7000 years ago, Indians had sugar thousands of years ago while corn, potatoes tomatoes peppers tobacco vanilla maple syrup were all found by Native Americans in North America.

Diversity maintains good physical health of individuals; keeps them financially stable and satisfied with their jobs among other benefits. It encourages innovation and creativity. We need diversity because culturally diverse communities make us healthier if we live work play there so we ought to live healthier lives through diversity.