Watkins, Adam and Melde, Chris. “Latino and Asian Perception of How They View Their Educators” (2010) Youth and Society. pp. 4-24. Print.
Respect means more than putting value in words that authorities tell you. This article speaks of the value of trust, and acceptance that immigrant students can have with high school authorities. This trust is applied when teachers convey words of wisdom outside the classroom, and the students follow. The acceptance of authority is applied when teachers will tell the immigrant student to obey, and he or she does. The ability to gain this respect is purely up to the instructor. The study shows that both Asian immigrants, and Latinos have about the same level of respect for certain teachers, and a certain level of distrust for different teachers that act differently. A slip up of misjudged racism, or misled disciplinary action will lose the trust of immigrant students, just like any other student. The difference is that when a student is new to a culture, they need someone to be there that they can trust. Someone that can help them to advance their learning, not just become part of the majority. The culture shock between an American schooling system, and an Asian or Latino school system, will be helped if there is a level of trust between the instructor and student (Watkins and Melde, 23). The Instructor must trust a student is applying his or her best ability to learning, while the student must trust that the instructor is looking out for the students better interest. This relationship between the student and teacher can have a ripple affect throughout the students life. It starts with learning more in that specific field, then ends with a better chance of getting a respectful job, and eventually doing more than merely getting through life. This respect does have two sides to the coin though.
Chris and Adam state how teachers might in fact be more willing to trust immigrant students because of the different value of respect for elders they were taught in their culture(Watkins & Melde, 6) . However throughout time that level of respect might start to diminish the more Latinos or Asians hang out with the American Whites, who are taught differently(Watkins & Melde, 8). This in turn puts value on the preservation of their culture, but this shouldn't be the only reason for respect of preservation of their culture. It is shown in studies that respect of a culture in turn gives more respect for the teacher, it gives an environment where the student can learn more. This needs to be a focus of teachers then, in order to connect more with students. This value of culture is almost forgotten in the study in this article.
The main fault of this article in my opinion is the fact that it tries to relate the value of respect to grades and graduation rate, without taking into account extra variables that might come into play. The study in itself fails to show that there is really any correlation, yet realistically there is. They write how the two different cultures being Asian, and Latino share the same value of their instructors, yet there is a distinct difference between which culture has a higher high school graduation percentage, and similarly a higher college graduation rate. The problem is they fail to realize the main difference in why that might be. Latino culture put a higher dedication on family and tradition, where Asian culture puts a higher dedication on education and personal passion. The two differences in culture is most likely the reason of the distinction in graduation rates in both high school and college.
Trust is a very important part of anyones education. It is a nice reprieve to see in this study that both cultures respect the majority of their educators. However the fact of the matter is there is still a problem with distinguishing the two different cultures from American. Latinos may need a more condensed education, faster paced and focused on incorporating their family ties into their education. Where as Asians seem to be thriving in this education system. Perhaps this education system is too easy for them? The article states how sometimes families decide to migrate because it allows for a better educational chance for the kids in the family. We owe it to them to supply them with the best chance of advancement of knowledge possible. A dedication from the teachers learning their culture to gain students respect must be part of that system.
I am very interested in the aspect of culture and how it relates to education and peoples response to education. I am glad you are touching on this subject. I feel it is important to keep in mind the values of a culture when educating. I do think it is interesting that they have grouped together two completely different cultures to study together under the same assumptions. I appreciate your reflection on how they may not be getting the whole picture by comparing two completely different cultures, and how each culture places different values on education. Therefore, the amount of education obtained and graduation rates in both high school and college differ because of these different values. When you state,"The problem is they fail to realize the main difference why that may be." You give an opinion about the different value structures of each culture, which I have heard similar facts,but, is it something that is expressed by the article? If not, where did you get the information?
ReplyDeleteI felt you did a great job turning this bibliography into a conversation, you took the information they gave and expanded on it with your own ideas. You did a good job questioning their approach and analysis. It seems you have knowledge in some of the areas they discussed. I got the sense you were not just giving the answers they provided but asked some important questions pertaining to how they came to their conclusions. A good example is when you said, "The main fault of this article in my opinion is the fact that it tries to relate the value of respect to grades and graduation rate, without taking into account extra variables that might come into play."
I felt you did a good job addressing the issues they put forth, but I would of liked more quotes that you felt were important. Without them I felt a little lost on what was said by the article and what were your own thoughts. Perhaps using a quote or paraphrasing to give a more concrete example of what you are giving attention to. Overall I thought you approuched the information very thoughtfully. From what I read, I get the sense that this subject, like it is for me, something you feel is important. It is very evident in your writing.