Why do Black kids under-perform at school?

Question

Statistics show that in all westernized societies kids from an afro-caribbean backgrounds under-perform against their white/asian/arab counterparts. It appears that from the ages of 4-8 everyone appears to be on a par until the age of 13. Why is there a drop and what causes this? Even in the best schools where Black kids do particularly well they are still behind whites and well behind asian kids.

Answer 1

That's an extremely difficult question and not one with a simple answer. There's been a lot of research on the theory that institutionalised racism which excluded black people from a lot of opportunities and acheivements a couple of generations ago is still impacting the performance, confidence, and aspirations of today's generations.

Think about it, if you had seen your parents continually struggle to get places in life because of racism, it would hardly give you something to aspire to. Especially if you had seen with your own eyes that society doesn't treat people like you fairly.

It's going to take a few more generations yet before the effects of institutional racism have been counteracted and black children are able to aspire to the same as everyone else.

This isn't the only reason by any means but in Britain as with most of the Western world, we spent years keeping black society down and it'll take years again for us to put it right and give everyone equal opportunities.

It also comes down to role models. As a white person you have plenty of scholarly or high-acheiving role-models who you can personally relate to as well as aspire to. This is not so much the case with black people just yet and as I say, this will take several generations to filter through and even out.

It's similar with equal opportunities in the workplace - there is still a lot of prejudice that takes place without it necessarily being said out loud. Much as we say men and women are treated equally, as a woman who has been successful in a male-dominated environment I can honestly say I've had to fight harder than my male counterparts to get to where I am. I've often been in equal jobs to male colleagues, acheived higher and more profitable results for the company and still been paid less than them!!! I've been turned down for jobs before because I am at 'child-bearing age' and having worked in recruitment I've certainly seen racial prejudice taking place much more than any government statistics would probably like to admit to.

Answer 2

As a black women of mixed parentage, some answer have been fair but others have been ridiculous.One mentioned walking around uni campus and seeing mainly white people well clever person if look a the population of the white to black and asian
There is a recorded 91.3 white population to a 2.2 population of black and asian are 4.4 so you do the math....every single balck person i know has a degree or doing a degree i have a family of 9 brothers and sisters 32 aunties and uncles all educated you do the math once again my friend is doing the higest level degree in pyschology....and most are doing masters in law....Good luck

Answer 3

I agree. I don't have kids, but I would support an increase in taxes for kids to go to private school. The "No Child Left Behind" has made a horrible mess out of public schools, and I think sending kids to private might be the best answer.

Answer 4

"Well, I tip my hat off to all the Condoleeza Rices and future Colin Powells, because it goes to show that Black people are smart. Now, as far as "under performing in school" I believe it begins in the home. I can't stand Black parents who place more emphasis on chores and cooking than little "Rodney" to do his homeowrk and read books. I come from a home like that and I had to push 10 times harder than my white counterparts. Pushed so hard, that I have an advanced diploma, and I graduated with 3.3 gpa from college. There are many black people who are achieving. I have seen them, and met them."

My life story. (I have not graduated yet). My mother was the type that seemed to care more about us doing chores that school and homework. Heck, we had a big battle over it.

Answer 5

Well, I tip my hat off to all the Condoleeza Rices and future Colin Powells, because it goes to show that Black people are smart. Now, as far as "under performing in school" I believe it begins in the home. I can't stand Black parents who place more emphasis on chores and cooking than little "Rodney" to do his homeowrk and read books. I come from a home like that and I had to push 10 times harder than my white counterparts. Pushed so hard, that I have an advanced diploma, and I graduated with 3.3 gpa from college. There are many black people who are achieving. I have seen them, and met them.

Answer 6

In the south it has alot to do with the teachers. The vast majority of black students go to all black schools (innercity) which have black teachers. Anytime testing teachers is proposed, to see if they actually know the subjects they are teaching is brought up, the ACLU steps in and says testing is racist. Therefore they promote students that don't know what they should know, then they go on to college and have teachers there that are not allowed to fail but a certain percentage of minorities, or the college will face the wrath of the ACLU. Some of these inferior students go on to become teachers and the cycle starts all over again.

Also, many black students have parents that are absent from the kids lives and the grandmother, which does not have the energy to, is left to raise the kid.

Answer 7

Black Kids don't do well in schools because the system is not set up for them to achieve higher levels as their white/asian/arab counterparts.
When they are being taught history, or geography or any of the core subjects that they have to study today, does any of it relate to them, in religious study they are taught about Islam and Christianity, what has that got to do with them, yes some of our children and when I say our I mean Black some of our black boys are Islamic but most of them are not, will it inspire them to study more I don't think so.
I'm not saying that the system should cover everything to do with back culture, but if they would only review the system, (because it's obviously not working) and try to cater for everybody.

Answer 8

I don't know where you come from, or your age group. From personal experience though, I can say, that they tend to have a massive chip on their shoulders (generally). They think that the world owes them something. I have personally come across the thinking that - because I'm black, I'm not going to get anywhere, so why bother. Asian families teach their children to be the best that they possibly can. White (British) families do the same but possibly to a lesser extent. Very few (in my opinion) black families bother to do this. Take a walk round a University campus in this country. Count the whites (collectively), asians and whites. What's the ratio?

Answer 9

I don't want to broad swoop a race, but let's face it, it is true and it is a problem. I think that it starts with parenting for 1. Also, besides math and science, our education system is culturally biased. Then, take a look at society. I'd have to imagine, being young and black around the age of 13, the heroes and role-models that they throw out for you are gangster rappers and pro-atheletes. Not black lawyers, or black doctors, or black scientists. It's kind of messed up.

Answer 10

Its mostly black males from carribean backgrounds who under perform black people from African backgrounds tend to do better. On a recent trip to the U.K I discovered that white males are now underperforming compared to black, asians, etc