Do you think diversity can be an asset to the classroom?

Question

I do, it helps children learn and understand different cultures. The class that I was subsituting for yesterday had every race, and children from many different countries. I think it's also interesting to have a group of children from all over the world. What does everyone else think?

Answer 1

I agree! My two oldest children attended/attend an elementary school with a wide variety of cultures and races represented. I have a favorite picture of my daughter on a field trip with three friends -- it took me close to a year to realize she was the only Caucasian in the photo. Honestly, she probably has never noticed; and I believe that is progress toward a better, more tolerant society.

I have not seen any prejudice from my children or the other students. I believe it goes beyond the cultural/race differences and affects other populations as well, for instance the developmentally disabled. My youngest child has Down syndrome and these students have always accepted her; believe me she is the star of the show when we visit the classroom. This has not been the experience of my friends who also have children with Down syndrome, and whose children attend a school with a less diverse population.

I love this school and what it has inadvertently taught my children.

Answer 2

Definaltly! Hepls Others Understand Aprciat And Value Peoples Cultures An Traditions! I hate Being The Only Black Kid In Som Of My Classes! The Class You Taught Must Have Been Awesome! Diversity Rocks!

Answer 3

While diversity is very important and I believe is quite beneficial in more informal groups, the only determining factor whether or not someone should be in a particular class is their academic background.

Putting someone in a class that they are simply not ready for just to artificially create some arbitrary idyllic cultural mix does a great disservice to both the "token" individuals as well as the class as a whole.

Answer 4

Hi..
I totally agree with you. It's important for children to learn of, and come in contact with as many cultures and races, as possible.
There are all kinds of people in the world..It's important for children to know and learn about them..
I grew up in Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn, my block alone, was a melting pot of so many people from different countries..Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Israel, Ireland, Africa, Italy, Brazil and Portugal(my parents), and Syria..Maybe more, but I was born on that block, and lived there until I was 17. So I don't know who moved there later.
I now have grown children of my own, and a 10 month old grandson.
My children were taught to respect everyone, regardless of their culture, and race, and they do..
My daughter, along with her husband will teach their son to the same!

Well, take care, and have a wonderful weekend!

Answer 5

If they had a class called "social diversity" , by all means.
Beyond that, acadamic ability should be the primary reason a child is put with a group.
Our schools are for educating, not social engineering.
I honestly believe that the political correctness of our schools is one of the main reasons many kids don't fare well in school along with lack of parental involvement.

Answer 6

I think it can be but tolerance and understanding needs to be taught because not all children/parents are so open minded, unfortunately.

I think it would be great. But I remember when I was in high school, I went to a mostly white high school, there were at least a few students that were openly racist. I lived in MA in an upper middle class town with an excellent educational program.

Answer 7

Of course. I think the lack of communication and tolerance on the part of Americans has so much to do with the severe segregation we have in our schools. I know that forced integration and diversification can do more bad than good, but there has to be another way to remedy this issue.

Answer 8

i think that it is great to be in a diverse culture because it helps the students and plus their friends can be from all over the world learning about differnet cultures and all.. :)
like at university which is great with the multicultural backgrounds because that can even help stimulate a good learning experience :)

Answer 9

I agree, I think the more cultures and lifestyles a child is exposed to, the more open-minded and less prejudice are likely to be.
To those who think they are only there to learn about classwork, actually learning about other cultures is classwork, social studies and sociology. Plus part of school is kids learning to function in society, while they should be learning a great amount about that at home, it is definitely a part of school.

Answer 10

I agree wholeheartedly. It can teach children that the world is a big place and that others have different traditions and cultures. I hope NONE of these cultures are being suppressed.