Race & Learning: What are the stereotypes about being Hispanic?

Race & Learning: What are the stereotypes about being Hispanic?

Value family/work, but not education

Minorities such as Hispanics and Afro-Americans, in my opinion do not see education as their top priority. I believe family and work are their main concerns. Family is most important to these ethnicities. I feel they see it if they can not support their family and themselves financially, education is not in the picture. These priorities have to be met in order for education to exist as a priority. –Shirley, February 18, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I think our culture doesn’t pressure education on our students as much as Caucasians do. We tend to be more interested and occupied in obtaining short term money instead of a long term education status.—Ally, February 23, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

People in our society comply to what is expected of them. Many Hispanics I know can not come to school because they can not afford it. They must provide for their family's, that takes importance over school.—Grace, February 19, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Many times families are too big or even if they are not big, maybe they have a family member that can not work and so their children have to work to maintain themselves and get what they want. Therefore putting themselves or family first and taking care of what is happening right now instead of what is going to be better for them later in life.—Mina February 21, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

… most Hispanics come from immigrant families who were poorly educated. The people who immigrate to United States are mostly uneducated and poor who left their countries to find new opportunities. Since they find new opportunities in this country, they feel their children don't need to go to college or pursue a master's degree in order to succeed as they have. They don't motivate their children to go beyond expectations. That attitude is adopted by their children and instead of finishing high school or going to college, they start working to support the family.—Forest, February 23, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Lower expectations

I also believe that in some cases there are lower expectations for students of a certain race or ethnic background and this can have a great impact on them as well, because they might not receive the education that they deserve. All of these situations are different according to the race of the people, because they all have different beliefs. There are certain beliefs, in certain ethnic backgrounds and some people really follow them.—Kristy, Feb 20, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Being Hispanic affects some confidents about learning expectations because a lot of people think that Hispanics are not capable of being higher educated. –Laura, Feb 7, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

… Hispanics are thought to be slower learners because of an ESL curriculum. There appears to be no real balance here...but in reality there very well maybe.—Maricela Gonzalez, Feb 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Being Hispanic at times made it difficult to overcome obstacles at times. For example, one of my high school counselors found out that I was pregnant and because I was, a high honors student as well as choir singer. The one thing she told me that stood out in my mind was her saying “you are ruined. You will never accomplish anything with that baby and being single”. That really hurt me…--Janette, Feb 8, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

High dropping-out rate

Our race/ethnicity should not have an impact on us or how we learn. However, it does because society has everyone labeled as far as culture/ethnicity on how they learn. For example, Hispanics are considered one of the highest dropping-out rates or one of the highest ethnicities to become pregnant while in school. Although we are often stereotyped or discriminated upon because of these, our culture should give us more reason to succeed in school.—Fan, February 20, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Labor workers

… the Hispanic are always your labor workers. What I mean they are seen as the people that do all the yard work or the maids or even construction. –Tyra, February 19, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

As Mexicans we are expected to do those hard labor jobs. We are always portrayed as the gardeners or maids in Hollywood. Just recently Latinos/Hispanics are making a mark on tv. People are shocked to hear that Mexicans have powerful jobs. It’s not expected of us or blacks to succeed in a big way. I do think that our ethnicity has a lot to do with how much harder we work in school.—Not a treky, February 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Lazy & stupid

Well the stereo type has always been that if you are Hispanic then you must be lazy and stupid. —Janette, Feb 8, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Hispanics and African Americans are not considered or expected to do will in education. Hispanics stereotyped as being lazy and made for hard work in the field or dirty jobs that no one wants. That is how society sometimes perceives minorities and it is sad but a lot of this way of thinking comes from generations back. It has been taught and learned from them. –Sandy, February 19, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Greetings from the editor
Race & learning: Introduction
Race & learning: How aware are we of our ethnicity...
Race & Learning: What are the stereotypes about be...
Race & learning: How do the Hispanic stereotypes a...
Race & Learning: What can we as individuals do?
Race & Learning: What can parents do?
Race & learning: What can teachers do?