According to the Boston Globe, America is projected to become a “majority-minority” country by 2044. [1] To some people labeled as “white” in modern America, this trajectory is horrifying. To many others (of all backgrounds), this transition is a positive sign of a future where racial hegemony is distributed more equally. However, race is far from the only status creating privileges for some and roadblocks for others in this country. Sex, class, religion, and many other identities intersect to establish raw power and socio-economic mobility. In my educational career, the conventions of class, race, and family have provided great opportunity for success, while also circumscribing my ability to relate with other groups.
As a member of the middle class, it is easy sometimes to simply feel “ordinary” and forget the tangible benefits my position on the social ladder confers. I have access to miraculous technology like …show more content…
Other parents (especially those from a non-Euro American culture) demand much more. The stereotypical Northeast Asian parents’ expectations put much greater emphasis on discipline and family honor than my own culture. In Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua encourages parents to be strict. Rather than be satisfied with a B, she says parents should shame kids for getting anything less than an A. [12] Since the cultural norms for myself are lower, my baseline motivation tends to be lower. Other students with stricter parents (no matter their heritage) feel immense pressure to constantly get immaculate report cards. Though this motivation (to put it lightly) results in getting better grades, it can have damaging psychological effects. Humans are very imperfect creatures. Conditioning children to despise the slightest stain of failure is a recipe for psychological counseling for the rest of their life. I’m thankful I don’t have to be child god among my peers to receive my parent’s
As a member of the middle class, it is easy sometimes to simply feel “ordinary” and forget the tangible benefits my position on the social ladder confers. I have access to miraculous technology like …show more content…
Other parents (especially those from a non-Euro American culture) demand much more. The stereotypical Northeast Asian parents’ expectations put much greater emphasis on discipline and family honor than my own culture. In Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua encourages parents to be strict. Rather than be satisfied with a B, she says parents should shame kids for getting anything less than an A. [12] Since the cultural norms for myself are lower, my baseline motivation tends to be lower. Other students with stricter parents (no matter their heritage) feel immense pressure to constantly get immaculate report cards. Though this motivation (to put it lightly) results in getting better grades, it can have damaging psychological effects. Humans are very imperfect creatures. Conditioning children to despise the slightest stain of failure is a recipe for psychological counseling for the rest of their life. I’m thankful I don’t have to be child god among my peers to receive my parent’s