A reflection on a current educational issue in Sydney relating to culture and identity
Ones identity, can include the characteristics they define themselves by. For example in a school, there could be a 'emo/goth' group, nerds, jocks, popular group and small ethnic groups. Since a total of 45 per cent of Australians were born overseas, or have at least one parent who was born overseas, culture also plays a detrimental role in this grouping, where groups recruit students of same ethnicity. I was able to witness this first-hand at my school.
This video is a clip from the movie 'Mean Girls', although it is not based in Sydney's context, it can thoroughly relate to Sydney schools grouping. It successfully highlighting different identity/culture groups being labelled in a school, which is seen as a form of bullying.
This grouping scheme is populated among many schools in Sydney, and triggers bullying. Therefore reforms must be established in schools in order to combat racism/bullying. This in turn should encourage students to attend and enjoy school.
Statistics highlight this issue as MORE than two-thirds students are victims of racism at school while 80% of students from non-anglo background have experienced some form of racial bullying
The idea of reform is seen in the ABC News article "Teachers, pupils on mission to tackle racism in Australian schools", where a school principal of Punchbowl Boys High school with 98% students coming from non-english backgrounds, has tackled the issue of bullying. Some bullying situations could be due to the stereotype that rose during the Cronulla riots, while racism began increasing in schools and the education system. The school principle Mr Dib therefore sought to promote equality and establish a safe and comforting environment in his school. This was through building a sense of unity and respect within the school community while the school had also employed anti-racism contact officers, to avoid bullying in the school.
Thus individuals of different identities and cultures, have diversified the education system, however in turn has lead to racism and bullying throughout Sydney schools. The government must ensure education laws and school rules are intact, to promote the enjoyment of school, rather than say the sentence that almost every kid has said atleast once "Mum! I don't want to go school".
Bullying is a main issue dominating almost all schools in Sydney today. Victims can land in this position due to their out 'outcasted' culture and identity. This is turn disenchants the victims from school, depriving themselves from educational opportunities. This verbal/physical abuse now includes cyber bullying, due to the high rise use of technology.
This video is a clip from the movie 'Mean Girls', although it is not based in Sydney's context, it can thoroughly relate to Sydney schools grouping. It successfully highlighting different identity/culture groups being labelled in a school, which is seen as a form of bullying.
This grouping scheme is populated among many schools in Sydney, and triggers bullying. Therefore reforms must be established in schools in order to combat racism/bullying. This in turn should encourage students to attend and enjoy school.
Statistics highlight this issue as MORE than two-thirds students are victims of racism at school while 80% of students from non-anglo background have experienced some form of racial bullying
Thus individuals of different identities and cultures, have diversified the education system, however in turn has lead to racism and bullying throughout Sydney schools. The government must ensure education laws and school rules are intact, to promote the enjoyment of school, rather than say the sentence that almost every kid has said atleast once "Mum! I don't want to go school".
References
Kelly, D. M., & Brandes, G. M. (2010). "Social justice needs to be everywhere": Imagining the future of anti-oppression education in teacher preparation. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 56(4), 388-402.
Perkins, M. (2009) Schools a hotbed of Racsim: Study. Sydney Morning Herald. Accessed 4th October from http://www.smh.com.au/national/schools-a-hotbed-of-racism-study-20091118-imk8.html
Sales1ist (2011) Mean
Girls cafeteria tribe. Youtube.
Accessed 21st October from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ_qXmxdgGM
i think this blog is very detailed and clear. The video that was posted is significant as it allows us to further understand the different groups in schools which lead to bullying. Most of us have watched Mean Girls which allows us to further relate to it. If further illustrates the different identity/culture groups being labelled.
ReplyDeleteMoreover the ABC news article used is also significant as i come from the western suburbs it allows me to relate to it. The article effectively highlights how Punchbowl Boys High School has tackled the issue of bullying as most of its students come from a non-English speaking background.
furthermore this blog has successfully tackled all the outcomes of the blogs as it successfully identifies the article used and how it is useful in relation to bullying.
Sultana.K
wooo thanks :)
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