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Influence of Multiculturalism on Students Essay

Decent Essays

There are layers to multiculturalism and its influence on psychological functioning and development of students in the classroom. These layers are made of constructs, helping to define contributing factors, highlight perspectives and better illustrate a continuum of acceptance. Contributing factors to our diverse population are Americanization, assimilation, nativism, and xenophobia. In Human Differences, Kent Koppleman states Americanization “…encourages immigrants to abandon their heritage and conform to American ways” (Koppelman, 2011). Assimilation, adopting other’s traits (Koppelman, 2011), can be unfavorable if multicultural perspectives are not introduced in curriculum to help further inform. Assimilation and Americanization can …show more content…

Relativism can then be attained, as students become more open to the possibility of no absolute (Koppelman, 2011). Culturally aware students can move up a continuum of acceptance. Tolerance is met when students are aware of differences and minimalization can then be realized by emphasizing human qualities verses origins (Koppelman, 2011). Last, students can become “understanding”, accepting differences without judgment (Koppelman, 2011). As educators we need proactive curriculum, so students gain better insight into the world around them. Ignoring diversity is harmful to learning and to students’ attitudes. Human diversity is advantageous when valued by those around them. Experiences are vital to understanding different perspectives. Creating a safe school environment is crucial so that educators can connect school expectations to home perspectives. Educator’s experiences can help schools become receptive to different perspectives, communicate these differences and expectations to colleagues and parents, and relate to multiple perspectives during conflict. Students come with different ways of knowing and viewing life. Students must be educated to different perspectives and as Joel Spring states, “…learn to be bicultural” (Spring, 2010). Educators’ understandings and experiences help facilitate fusion of mixed cultures. Knowledge of personal space and how

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