Children growing up with biases

Abstract

Our nation’s schools are becoming very diverse, with estimates as high as onethird of our school’s population being labeled ethnic minority students in the year 2000. Changes need to be made in our society to help the students in our schools become more accepting of minority students. Parents and the schools play a major role in developing a peaceful and harmonious school environment. The research has shown all children are subjected to racial and gender biases through their family, media, school, and community. All children react to these biases, some form their own negative attitudes and others remain positive. It is imperative that school systems learn how these cycles of negative attitudes and biases are continued, and at what age these biases truly influence the child’s perception of other races and genders. This report presents the results from a recently completed study which investigated the level of racial and gender bias found in children ages five to six, who attended a public elementary school in Glenwood City, Wisconsin. In the Fall of 2000, a cluster sample of 32 kindergartners were surveyed using a visual discrimination survey designed by the researcher. The researcher individually interviewed the students. The student was asked to point to the picture that he or she felt was right. Each child’s interview lasted approximately five minutes. The results of the research were used to examine the current kindergarten curriculum and make appropriate changes, based on the level of racial and gender biases in kindergarten students presented through this study.