Parochiality

Parochiality refers to a narrow or limited outlook, especially a focus on local concerns or interests, often to the exclusion of wider perspectives. It describes a state of being confined within a small geographical, social, or intellectual sphere, prioritizing the immediate over the global. This can manifest as an inability or unwillingness to understand or appreciate viewpoints, cultures, or issues beyond one's own. Parochiality implies a lack of breadth, vision, and an insular mindset that can lead to prejudice and intolerance. It's the antithesis of open-mindedness and cosmopolitanism, often associated with a preference for the familiar and a suspicion of the foreign or different. It’s about prioritizing local knowledge and customs, sometimes to the detriment of understanding broader trends or global issues.

Parochiality meaning with examples

• The town's refusal to adopt modern waste management techniques was a clear example of parochiality. They prioritized the old ways, clinging to local customs, ignoring the global benefits of environmentally-friendly practices. This narrow focus stifled progress and created unnecessary pollution. They valued local jobs, even if it meant inefficient methods which led to the residents falling behind.
• The newspaper's coverage was often criticized for its parochiality; it focused solely on local events, completely ignoring significant international developments. This created an uninformed population, unaware of global challenges. The editor consistently overlooked submissions on world affairs as irrelevant to the readers' supposed lack of interest. This narrow viewpoint further isolated them.
• The politician's staunch defense of local industries, even when facing global economic shifts, was seen as parochiality. She was unwilling to consider alternative strategies that might benefit the larger community, thus limiting opportunities for broader success and employment. Her focus remained on local companies, rejecting more adaptable approaches that could grow a more robust community.
• Her circle of friends, and their shared experiences and opinions were a consequence of parochiality. She was completely closed off to other viewpoints and social circles, lacking exposure to people of differing backgrounds or beliefs. The small and local, often homogenous, nature of their group created a narrow view of the world. This kept her from growing as a person.