Cultural Geometry
Vicky Huang
Schools today are more culturally diverse than ever before. Educators, nearly all individuals, tend to be ‘ethnocentric.’ They are likely to view the culturally based behavior of other groups as being inferior to their own because the unfamiliarity with other groups. This kit for educators examines cultural differences and the influences of a student’s heritage on learning style preferences, behavior patterns, and deeply held values, each of which influence child development differently. Also, some cultural practices might be misunderstood as child abuse in other cultures. However, this is not to stereotype or overgeneralize different cultures. All behaviors can be found in all cultural groups and some behaviors are demonstrated more in some cultures than in others. Also, individuals within a particular culture display the traditional traits and cultural markers of that group to varying degrees, from ‘not at all’ to ‘exclusively and intensely.’ These variations can be due to ethnic group differences with the larger culture, socio-economic status, gender, religion, degree of acculturation to the mainstream society, and many other factors. The main objective of this kit is to broaden the cultural knowledge of educators with respect to teaching culturally diverse students. At the same time, it encourages an open mind and invites the educator to engage in a self-examination of his/ her own beliefs regarding discipline, childrearing practices, and abuse.