Attitudes Scotland should strive to change

Published on Wednesday 12 December 2007 00:37

HOW prejudiced is modern Scotland? The latest annual Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, funded by the Scottish Government, was published yesterday. It is encouraging to see that two thirds of us think Scotland should do everything it can to combat racial and other forms of prejudice, though it would have been better if that figure had been nearer 100 per cent.

In the 2003 survey, 38 per cent said that Scotland would lose its identity if more Muslims came to live here; by 2006 this had increased to 50 per cent. There has also been a four-point increase in the proportion of people who say they would be unhappy about a relative forming a relationship with a Muslim. In the 2006 survey, 27 per cent believe that ethnic minorities take jobs away from others; this compares with only 20 per cent in 2002.

On the other hand, prejudice against gay people seems to be falling in modern Scotland: the number of people who think that same-sex relationships are always or mostly wrong has dropped 11 per cent since 2002 to around a third.

While these findings should be taken seriously, they do not necessarily lead to the conclusion that Scotland is irredeemably prejudiced. The problem with interpreting the figures is that it is difficult to distinguish between a mild concern - even if a reprehensible one - and serious, irrational prejudice that manifests itself in outright discriminatory behaviour towards others. By most standards, Scotland remains a fairly tolerant country. Where active steps have been taken to combat prejudice through public education and anti-discrimination legislation, social attitudes have generally improved - as with reference to gays. This should be our guide to action rather than endless hand-wringing.

For instance, the belief that immigrants are "taking Scottish jobs" is based on sheer ignorance which can easily be refuted. There is no fixed number of jobs that are shared out in the economy. Every new worker spends wages that create yet more jobs. It is no accident that Scotland has been enjoying record employment numbers and high immigration - they actually go together. For this reason, any references to "British jobs for British workers" are misplaced and potentially divisive.

Negative attitudes towards Muslim Scots are clearly a reflection of the political situation since 9/11. This is best dealt with by promoting greater interaction between the communities. By way of example, the historic enmities between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Scotland have largely eroded, mostly as a by-product of people working together and enjoying the same lifestyle and opportunities. Fear of "the other" only becomes a problem when communities remain separate from each other, allowing ignorance to flourish.

The Social Attitudes Survey is a useful mirror to society, warts and all. But we should remember that attitudes can be changed for the better.