http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083301.htm
I found this article very interesting and easily related back to things we have discussed in class. This article discusses that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes earlier in life than we thought. The study looked at children in elementary school and asked them questions to determine their ability to understand another person's stereotypical beliefs. Researchers found that children between age 5 and 11 become aware of stereotypes, including stereotypes about academic ability. When children become aware of stereotypes about their own racial ethnic group, it can affect them academically. The idea being that if a child is of a ethnic group that has a stereotype that they are not that intelligent, the student will do poorer on tests and in class to confirm the stereotype.
This relates to what we studied in class about stereotypes affecting people and people living up to their stereotypes. I would think that if a certain race had a stereotype, that they would want to do the best they can and prove that the stereotype does not apply to them. Instead, this study proves that people continually go along with stereotypes because it is what is expected of them.
So how do we change this? The article suggests that there is a need for educational policies and programs to reduce stereotypes and their consequence early in children's school careers. I would have to agree. If we can get rid of children developing these stereotypes, then every one has the ability to preform at the best level they can, not be help back by stereotypes. Does anyone have any other ideas of how to stop this?
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This is a good overall article. Many of us, including me, didn't think that there was a possible stereotype threat even with younger kids belonging to a particular racial ethnic group. I agree with the article that there should be policies and programs that should be put into place to reduce steretypes. But, I also think that parents should have a part in trying to lower the idea of stereotypes in their own kids. Parents should be able to teach their kids that everyone has the skill to do the best that they can and that stereotypes aren't necessarily true. With the parents being a part as well as the programs and policies that should be put into place, these things should help to lower the idea of stereotypes in kids.
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