Race & Learning: What can parents do?

Race & Learning: What can parents do?

Provide opportunities to interact with other races

In my family we are not only Hispanics, there is African Americans and Anglos. I have heard bad comments about African Americans, but I don't really believe them because I have family members married to them and they are the funniest, generous, and most honest persons I have met. One of them would always help me with my math homework. He was very smart. In my family they are no prejudices and so I was not raised with stereotypes about other races. –Helen, February 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Be a role model

My mother and my father are my role models and will always be indebted with them. They broke the tradition, my parents told me I did not need a man to support me and as soon I graduated from high school, I was required to graduate from college as well. Ever since I was exposed to college, I wanted to grow with knowledge and learned everything my brain could retain. My confidence increased and my parents and I have high expectation of myself. I am more motivated to learn and to do better in life rather then being content of marrying someone from the barrio that has low expectations—Kassi, Feb 12, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

My mother is a very confident person. She feels proud of herself because even though she was not from the US she was able to go to college. She faced many obstacles. First she had me at age 16, she dropped out of high school because of that, but eventually she got her GED and returned to school and she owns her own daycare center. Both my parents are self made me feel proud because they never asked for food stamps, housing, or any other government help. That would have helped me while growing up but know I appreciate what I have and would not change my childhood even though we passed through some hard times. My parents always helped me feel proud of myself and my roots.—Mina, Feb 12, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Provide support/help

Of course there are some exceptions; if the students really have the support from someone to overcome the beliefs of their race they will be able to get a good education. The students will be able to succeed if they really set their mind to and have the resources needed.—Kristy, February 20, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

My parents always instilled in me that I had to go to college or university. That was never an option. This is a funny memory of mine....we were so poor that I never thought I would have a computer. When I was little I remember my dad would tell me that when I graduate from college and get a job the first thing I should do is buy him a GOOD truck...4x4...all the works. My reply was... first I get me a computer and THEN I get you your truck and we would smile and hug. Thinking about it makes want to cry. Well when I was about 10yrs everything started to change. My dad became a self employed carpenter and that's about the time when my mom went back to school. Thankfully my parents have been able to provide better things for me and my sister. Now even though I am married and moved out they still would help me, if I needed the help, to pay for my education. —Mina, Feb 12, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Encourage/push children to succeed

I think that it does not matter your race or ethnicity, but how one is raised is what make us who we are. In my case my parents always expect so much from my sisters and me that getting good grades and behaving in school was a must.—Helen, February 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

So to answer the question in short I do not feel like being Hispanic affected me, except the language barrier at first, but I am so thankful that my parents always pushed me to do good and try my best although at many times they themselves were not able to help me. —Mina, Feb 12, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Yes, I am Hispanic and my ethnicity affects my learning, confidence, and expectations about myself. I really feel confident in whatever I do in life because I have the support of my parents. My parents have always told me to finish school and have a college diploma. Therefore, since I was a child I had the idea of doing great in school and getting excellent grades in all my classes. Now that I am the oldest daughter, I give the same advice to my younger siblings. I tell them the importance of getting a college degree.—Lily, Feb 12, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

In my house, being a Mexican really affected the way I performed in school. I remember my dad pushing me to learn English faster than what I was going. Thankfully, the pushing worked for me. It made me want things more. I always had to do better things than other kids did. My dad’s whole reasoning behind it was that I should have a better life than he did. He always told us that he didn’t want us working hard labor jobs. He always pictured all his kids behind desks in the air condition.—Not a treky, February 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

My wife is from Oaxaca, Mexico. She also believes she could do anything she puts her mind to (I've seen her, it's true). She believes this as a result of what her parents taught her, too. Her father did not even finish junior high, I believe. He had my wife and her siblings work on the farm. He always told them that if they did not do well in school, including the university, he would pull them out of school and have them work on the farm the rest of their lives. Now all three of them have graduated from a university in Oaxaca—Dawn, Feb 21, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

I think that many Hispanics are caught in what other say including their own family members…my parents always let me know I was going to college or university so I never thought high school was going to be the end for my education. I think parent involvement and motivation and support are very important and key to closing the achievement gap.—Mina, February 21, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

I believe it is important that all Hispanics should encourage their children to aim high and to accomplish more than their parents have. This will not only make them better individuals, it will also help them gain more opportunities.—Forest, February 23, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

I think that is why it is so important to have good support from home. I was raised my entire life believing that I could do anything I put my mind to. Both of my parents instilled this belief in me, and most of my teachers have as well. I still believe this to be true. I think people need to have confidence in themselves before they can do well.—Dawn, Feb 21, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

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?