1. Social Challenges in Schools Chapter 3

2. Learning Outcomes Understand the benefits to whites by being members of the dominant group Respect differing family backgrounds and minimizing stereotyping Understand that young people need caring adults Describe the role schools play in socialization Understand that educational equality requires that all students are proportionately represented in advanced classes and special education classes

3. Social Challenges A democratic society struggles with how to support individuality and yet develop a consciousness of shared concerns and actions that promote equality Although the U.S. describes itself as the premier model of a democratic society, it is governed primarily by members of the dominant culture Power provides economic, educational, and political advantages for individuals and groups

4. Power in Society Whites usually give no credit to their membership in the dominant group or think they have power advantages over other racial and ethnic groups Large gap in perceptions of power between different groups in society Power allows domination over the powerless as well as access to social benefits such as good housing, tax deductions, social services and the best schools

5. Ethnocentrism The belief that members of one’s group are superior to members of other groups Many members of the dominant culture believe their culture is superior to those with non- European roots Curriculum content and classroom interactions by teachers often subtly and not so subtly transmit superiority messages

6. Prejudice and Discrimination Prejudice…preconceived negative attitude toward members of a group As one struggles in the construction of the self while growing up, one also constructs the idea of “otherness” often based on stereotypes Prejudiced attitudes can become discriminatory behavior

7. Institutional Discrimination Racism…the conscious or unconscious belief that racial differences make one group superior to others “Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread and deep- seated, that it is invisible because it is so normal.” (Chisholm) Sexism…the conscious or unconscious belief that men are superior to women and subsequent behavior that maintain the superior, powerful positions of males

8. Development of Racial Identity BRI…preencounter, encounter, immersion- emersion, internalization, internalization- commitment WRI…contact, disintegration, reintegration, pseudoindependence, immersion-emersion, autonomy

9. Today’s Families 68% of children 18 or younger live in families with both biological parents Average age of parents older than in the past Over one-third of first-time married couples have separated or divorced after ten years Almost 25% of children in the U.S. live with a single mother, a single father, grandparents, or another guardian

10. Homelessness Three million people in the U.S. are without shelter at some point during a year Parents who live in shelters are typically single mothers with one or two children under the age of six 20% of homeless persons are working Only 28% of the minor children of homeless parents live with the homeless parent

11. Abuse About 33% of the females murdered in the U.S. are killed by a spouse, ex- spouse, or boyfriend Domestic violence is the primary cause of homelessness for women with children More than 20% of homeless families in the U.S. are fleeing domestic violence Neglect is the cause of 60% of child abuse cases, 20% is physical abuse, 10% is sexual abuse 13% of all girls are sexually abused before they reach 18 years old ( most often a parent or friend)

12. Today’s Youth 63% of high school graduates enter college immediately after high school 78% of 17 year olds work and go to school 1 in 25 female teenagers becomes pregnant, only 1 in 50 becomes a parent (the fathers of a majority of these babies are not teenagers) Poverty is the most important factor determining teenage mothers (83% are in poverty) 8-12 years after birth to an unmarried, teenage, high school dropout…10 times more likely to be poor

13. Drug Use Chemical dependency…the habitual use, for either psychological or physical needs, of a substance such as drugs, alcohol, or tobacco 53% of 12 th graders have used illicit drugs as some time, but only 25% have used in the past month 25% of 8 th graders have tried drugs, 10% in the past month Teens under 18 use illegal drugs other than marijuana less than adults in the U.S.

14. Violence The U.S. is the most violent industrialized nation in the world Children under the age of 15 are twelve times more likely to be killed by firearms than children in 25 other industrialized countries Majority of people arrested for murder are between 18 and 24 80% of crimes committed by males…although juvenile arrests are increasing for females and decreasing for males

15. Violence Crime is related more directly to poverty than to the age of the criminal, low income teens have about the same rate of crimes as adults who live in poverty 24,500 gangs with 750,000 members “Gangs can provide a sense of place and a feeling of importance as well as a strong identity structure

16. Harassment and Bullying 80% of students report that they’ve been sexually harassed at school, one-third experiencing it often Most common form of harassment is verbal abuse, nearly 25% of students indicate that faculty or staff sometimes make homophobic remarks

17. Social Reproduction Schools are expected to reproduce the cultural, political, social, and economic order of society traditionally Functionalists view schools as important in supporting technological development, material well-being, and democracy Conflict theorists view schools as reproducing society to maintain power, legitimizing inequities Resistance theory believes students can help change schools to be more democratic

18. Purposes of Schools Citizenship…patriotism and loyalty are implicit values in most schools and part of the hidden curriculum Workforce readiness Academic achievement Social development Cultural transmission