Blog 5

Phillip Massa

February 27, 2012

Uy

Blog 5

                It’s important to understand that our students are going through many crises when entering classrooms every day. One crisis that author Mary Water’s addresses is the crisis of identity. Walter addresses that, “[immigrant students] process [of] choosing a "desired  self " or reference group orientation, notes that minority adolescents can choose a "desired self that is closely identified with the mainstream, one that is strongly ethnically identified, or one that is bicultural.” What Walter’s brings forward is that minority students struggle with not only the everyday struggle of a teenager, but with and an internal struggle with personal identity also.  I haven’t even of thought about the issue of personal identity with minority students. These students don’t grow up isolated; they in fact grow up in environments. Each of these environments holds a different identity to the minority student. This issue is truly overshadowed by language acquisition and trying to assimilate the student into the culture. However, as educators we have to take into consideration the student’s original heritage and background. This becomes especially problematic because these students parents are pressuring their students to maintain their heritage, while we as educators are pushing so assimilation. Students are going to see their parents far more than their teachers and if their parents are shunning mainstream culture, the student’s motivation will be drastically altered. In addition if the parents refuse to use the English language the student’s exposure will be limited to just the classroom. Their choice of identity may be forced because of parental influence. We as educators have to be aware of the identity crisis that our minority students are going through and support both assimilation and respect for their culture. The student has to be assured that neither one is better than the other, but rather there both rich in various ways. This is just another example of why we as teachers need to build relationships with our students. Establishing a relationship and identifying this crisis could aide us as educators guide these students through a tough time in their lives.

                We also have to remember that parents play a crucial role in the crisis of identity for minority students. Interfering with the wishes of a student’s parents could be extremely problematic. This could also lead to tension at home were classing of ideologies affects the students morale and sense of self. This is because the student feels loyal to their parents, but also wants to assimilate into the American culture. What Wilder also points out is boys struggle choosing an identity because they live in two worlds concurrently, while girls tend to be able to be bicultural. In simpler terms, girls have an easier time forming an identity while boys struggle to choose one or the other. As educators we should be aware of such a struggle and aide in any way possible to help the student maintain their heritage, and assimilate into American culture. Walter’s article gives direct insight to another challenge that minority students deal with. Two distinct issues arise from this struggle and both involve the student’s academic performance.  It’s always important to know what’s going on in our student’s lives. Any insight to student problems helps us perform better as teachers and build stronger students. If anything its good for the student to know that we care.