SOCIAL COHESION AMONG MULTIRACIAL STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY AT BERJAYA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2025.8.2.564Abstract
Abstract: Social cohesion refers to the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community. It is often viewed as the glue that holds a society together. However, in a society with many different racial groups, it can be difficult to maintain unity because each group may be more concerned with its own needs. Likewise, multiracial students may also face challenges in building social cohesion due to their different backgrounds and experiences. In tandem with these circumstances, this study seeks to assess the level of social cohesion among multiracial students at a private college in Kuala Lumpur by using four components of social cohesion namely accommodation, acculturation, assimilation and amalgamation. This study employed a mixed research design that used both questionnaires and focus groups to collect data. More importantly, by combining both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study provides a more comprehensive understanding of how multiracial dynamics influence social cohesion in higher educational settings. The descriptive analysis of questionnaires and a focus group study revealed that while students generally feel comfortable socialising with multiracial friends, they may still face challenges in certain aspects of interaction, such as supporting their friends from other races in competitive situations.
Keywords: Accommodation; Acculturation; Amalgamation; Assimilation; Multiracial Students; Social Cohesion
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