He's in preschool and the only black boy there. I get a lot of criticism from my friends. They say I pay a monthly tuition whereas he could be going to Head Start for free. And they also say it's not good for him and he should be in a better environment (mix races). I haven't had a problem yet. He has great teachers. The facility is great. He has one more year of preschool coming up. Should I let him go back again next year? By the way, I have another little boy who is to start preschool....should I send him to the same one or to Head Start? I don't know if I can afford both.
2007-01-08 03:38:20 · 19 answers · asked by sdc 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
My daughter is currently the only black child in her preschool and I pay tuition for her also to attend. I watch her interact with the children and she has alot of friends in class. She doesn't have any problems and learns a great deal. I don't see that being being the only black child in class has affected her. I say it is best to send your child to a school where he is able to learn. If, you dont feel comfortable move him. When selecting my daughters school I utilized a website www.greatschools.com in helping to select a school that would aid my daughter of an excellent education program. Just do your best and don't allow criticism to affect your child in getting the best education.
2007-01-08 03:51:28 · answer #1 · answered by Nella The QT 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For one -- it sounds like he will get a great education, so you're doing fine already! My kids all went through parochial schools that were 95+% white (mine are white). Each of them had only one or two black students in their class, and there was never an issue. Most of the kids in those situations are blind to race (too bad we all can't learn from them). They all learned that race doesn't mean anything - especially when it comes to friendships, abilities, intelligence, etc.
I do know that a few of the black kids chose to go to public high schools, where there was more of a racial mix. Some of them did fine, but some of them also did not. I know of a few boys where they got to the public school, and only associated with other blacks, and were basically "retrained" by their new friends. These boys ended up quitting sports, ignoring their former friends, and getting into trouble a lot. For some of the boys, it was one or both of their parents that insisted that their son needed to be around more black kids, and forced them to go to the public schools.
The ones who continued in the private/parochial schools did fine, and lead happy, successful lives.
So, the choice is dependant on what is important for their lives -- making sacrifices so they get the best in education and social upbringing, or being around more kids of their own race. We had similar issues just between Public and Private schools regarding sports and some extracurricular activities, and had to make a lot of sacrifices to afford the Parochial school for three kids. We've never regretted the choice!
Good luck!
2007-01-08 03:50:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How does your son feel. Remember it’s also up to him and if he’s having a hard time and the teacher is not doing anything go further to the principal if he stays there and it’s a school that goes on past that level then you need to establish a good relationship within his class and with friends. The backgrounds shouldn’t matter, it’s the quality of the people. It’s not going to be easy, but if things aren’t changed then they can be different, maybe ask for some education in difference of cultures can help. We did that at my school (decades ago) where everyone talked about there families and celebrations. Parents came in, I had a friends whose mom was from Cuba and she talked about there families history. Etc.
2007-01-08 03:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by Juleette 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't have any kids yet, but I worry about the same kind of thing... I'm white and my bf is black... I think, okay, if we have kids, will it be odd for me to have a mixed child? Will I feel differently towards the child because he/she doesn't look like me?
Anyhoot, I doubt your son even noticed the color thing right now and it's good for him to be with kids of various races anyways. If you can, I'd have both of your kids go to the same school since at least they'd have each other in addition to their other friends.
2007-01-08 03:54:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe at that age kids aren't that receptive to those types of differences. I think as a parent you are aware of the potential problems that could arise from him being in a non-diverse environment. I also think I would be more worried if my child was the only black student at a grammer school, jr high or high school. At those ages he should be exposed to wider range of diversity. I say go with what you think is best for him at this age.
2007-01-08 03:55:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My brothers and sisters went to a school where there were not very many black students. What I noticed is this: the black students were very popular and everyone went out of their way to be around them. It's weird. Anyway, as long as your son is happy and you think the school is good, keep him there. If you can't afford both to go to the same school, look for a scholarship or something.
2007-01-08 03:42:31 · answer #6 · answered by Rosie aka Rosie 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
kids can and often are cruel but at pre-school age the chances are the other kids see him as no different,yes they know he is a different colour but are likely to not acknowledge it,,if the option is there for you to send them to the same school then try to do so as you dont want to feel or have it thrown at you that you may be favoring one child over the other but this is for your own peace of mind and not about what others think,,choose the schools you think are fit and if the free school is just as good there is little reason for him not to go,you undoubtedly want the best for both kids but often free school isnt bad school,,you are aware of the performance of both so choose which is the best,do bear in mind this is just pre-school,they learn to interact,learn social boundaries,sharing,play listening to teachers and adults alike,the good stuff comes later and with this in mind each school could offer the same.
2007-01-08 03:51:09 · answer #7 · answered by lex 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it would have a negative effect on him. as a matter of fact, it would be best for him to say there. it's better to start while young rather than be in a white class when you're old. he will learn a lot of things in there. he will learn how to talk appropriately and not hood talk or dirty talk, he will learn to love all people with different race, he will learn to be fair to evryone and mostly, that's the first step of having a lot of friends no matter what race. you're doing a good job in exposing him to the world were we live in. good luck.
2007-01-08 03:46:43 · answer #8 · answered by K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not the problem of you, it is the problem of USA. If a black man become the President of USA or more black people appointed in key point of the administration and judiciary and the economic condition of the black people better, then the present problem will disappear from your society.
2007-01-08 05:46:04 · answer #9 · answered by akandaa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should send your son to which ever has the best education and it doesn't matter if he is the only black child in his class. I had the same issue growing up and it didn't affect me.
2007-01-08 03:42:19 · answer #10 · answered by ☆Soon 2 be Mom of 2☆ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋