All human beings inhabiting this world belong to a single species of Homo sapiens. Yet by virtue of the external appearance they look very different from each other. May be it is the skin colour, the shape of the nose, the colour of the eyes, the shape of the head or the hair form and colour. The above classification of the mankind into three major groups and numerous sub groups can be considered to be basic but is often termed as flawed because of numerous drawbacks some of which have been listed and described below:
- 1) Arbitrary and crude: The classification of the mankind can be referred to as arbitrary and crude simply because of the fact that it is based on visibly distinguishing features. These features include the skin color, shape of the head, nose and hair etc. The underlying genetic relationships have not been considered and thus do not form the basis of this classification. The humans have always been on the move in search of food and security. Racial admixture has been happening along with confrontation amongst different groups, probably led to the change in gene pools and gene frequencies. The human groups are dynamic and keep on changing their habitat. The racial admixture may have led to the formation of different groups. In short, it is logical to conclude that the criteria on the basis of which the present classification has been made is arbitrary.
- 2) Geographic distribution as a limiting factor : The continuity of geographical areas in describing various groups of the mankind has been the mainstay of this classification. However, people with many similar characteristics may be seen in many areas far flung from each other. But these may not have been included in that group on the basis of geographic discontinuity.
- 3) Overlapping of characteristics: The characteristics used for racial classification show continuity and hence pose a real difficulty of the cut-off limits for each trait. Within group variations for a characteristic should be much smaller compared to between group variations for it to qualify as a classifying trait. But the numerous examples of this not happening are available hence, compromise on the accuracy of the racial classification. Had there been no continuity in the characteristics, the issue of racial classification would have been resolved very easily, but then it is not the case.
- 4) No genetic basis: The present classification does not take into consideration the genetic basis of the differences in different groups. Of course, the anthropologists have studied the genetic structure of different populations and obtained the gene (allele) frequencies of different genetic traits. The best way would have been to consider numerous genetic traits to find out commonality amongst the members of a specific group to name it as a separate group. Most of the characteristics studied and included in the classification may be genetically determined and modifiable under environmental conditions but they are not exclusively determined by genetics such as various blood groups.