“Ogbu draws attention to no less than seventeen behavioral categories that constricted for black students what it means to ‘act white’. These include speaking Standard English, working hard in school to get good grades, being on time, and so on.”
For one I don’t believe these behavioral categories should be referred to acting white because there are many many whites who would not fit in all seventeen categories. Perhaps it should be called the “perfect student”? Also getting everyone ethnic group to act like these categories would make them lose their native background, which is said in both this article and Rodriguez’s article “Aria”.
“I witnessed numerous daily incidents in which girls clashed physically and violently with boys or with other girls. In fact, some of the girls were among the school’s most menacing and gifted pugilists.”
‘Bein’ Tough: Bein’ Female’ was one of the larger sections. It showed that girls did have a lot more pressure in schools than boys. In the article it states that girls care a lot about the trend (e.g., hair, makeup, clothes) and the competition with other girls. Also girls have pressure with boys/relationship, not to give “too much” or too “cold”. Girls have higher standards than boys which more a lot of pressure on them, which may be a reason why girls are more popular. I do agree with McLaren in this quote. Throughout my years in grade school I have witness or heard of more girl fights than boy fights. Girl fights are also more intense and vicious compared to boy fights.
“‘Psychologizing’ student failure amounts to blaming it on individual trait or series of traits (e.g., lack of motivation or low self-concept).”
I believe this has a major impact on a student’s success. It is not the student fault who has develop such traits but things within their background that has triggered them. Although many reasons may cause these traits, it is possible for the teacher to get behind them and eliminate them. That is what makes someone a good teacher. To be able to take a failing students and shaping them into a successful by learning about them and where these negative traits come from.
I agree with you when you said that traits shouldn't have an effect on students succeeding. it is not their fault that they have these traits. It is because of the background they are from and they can not change that about them.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your first comment. In fact I just said the same thing to Sara. When it comes to Education it is not fitting the bill/mold of the ideal white student but rather the ideal student. All students are pressured into changing their own natures and their own selves in order to become what their school believes to be an ideal student. There is always this imaginary mold that they expect all students to be like. Now I am not saying that all teachers are like this but I have seen this reflected in my past schools.
ReplyDeleteI knew that sexism was real but don't think I took the scope or power of it as seriously as maybe I should. I agree with you Bethany that it is difficult being a girl in school. It adds a whole other level of conciousness when dealing with our identity. For boys, sexuality is a given wheras with girls it is provocative and sought after. It's a heavy cross to bare.
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