Xenofobia

Xenophobia is a very actual and diffused problem all over the world. The dictionary defines it as a “phobic attitude towards strangers or of the unknown, a xenophobe is a person who is unduly fearful or contemptuous of anything foreign, such as of strangers or foreign peoples”. This term is typically used to describe fear or dislike of foreigners or in general of people different from one's self. For example, racism is sometimes described as a form of xenophobia, but in most cases racism has nothing to do with a real phobia. Xenophobia implies a belief that the target is in some way foreign. This definition help us to understand how xenophobia can develop into society. In fact this genre of phobia begin when some different cultures and ethnical groups meet hemselves and have to cohabit in the same geographical territory. In not so rare cases people tend to fear or distrust those who are not like themselves. When we convince ourselves that our way is the "right" way, we are more likely to strike out at those people or ideas that are different.