Tolerance as a Social Construct

Tolerance as a social construct refers to the idea that society’s accepted boundaries for accepting differences—like beliefs, lifestyles, or cultures—are created and maintained through shared norms, values, and agreements. It’s not just natural; it’s shaped by social, historical, and political influences that define what is considered acceptable or not. This means tolerance can vary across different groups and change over time, reflecting collective attitudes rather than an inherent trait. Recognizing this helps us understand that fostering tolerance involves actively shaping social attitudes and policies, rather than assuming it’s something people innately possess.