Why must educators be careful to guard against generalizing and stereotyping when working with children from various cultural groups? How might this type of thinking impact students from diverse cultural backgrounds?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Even within specific groups, each child and his or her family is different and unique. Although individuals may share similar characteristics with a larger group of people, educators must be cognizant of intraindividual differences regardless of shared cultural heritage. Student responses may vary but should address the fact that, by generalizing and stereotyping students, we are assuming that they are defined by the group that they are associated with. Although culture influences children and their families, it does not define them, and educators must be prepared to view each student as a unique entity who shares common characteristics with others. Students who are generalized and stereotyped are made to feel as though they do not have a voice; as though they are only defined by what society says they are. By generalizing and stereotyping students, educators tell them that they are not able to be unique and that they must be treated according to the group they affiliate themselves with. Within the learning environment, generalizing and stereotyping students takes a piece of information away from teachers. If educators assume that all children with a certain group react to school or learn the same way, then they may be missing an important piece of information that is needed to make sure that child is successful within the learning environment. By viewing the child as a part of a group but also as a unique individual, teachers will be better able to pinpoint how each student learns relevant to his or her cultural group.