Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

For this week’s topic of study we addressed the realizations of microaggression throughout our nation, and our local areas we personally reside in.  For every individual there are hidden bias.  These biases were established and formed from birth.  As a child is indeed just like a sponge, soaking up all the surrounding experiences and environments.  The culture a child is born in contributes to the views they adapt, for the most.  People can have the best intentions, but not realize how the hidden bias can affect their conversation or behaviors.  An example of microaggression that I observed, or a comment I personally made.  I was out of state on my honeymoon/family vacation and had my oldest 2 children at the pool.  This was a pool at a resort in Florida, there was indeed diversity amongst the people playing in the pool and enjoying the sun.  I was sitting at a table reading this week’s resources, as I watched my children swim.  There were several other tables and people sitting together.  There was a bee flying around the several tables.  I am very allergic to bees, to the point I am EpiPen dependent.  Due to the discovery of this allergy I went into anaphylactic shock, very scary.  As a mother and having my kids outside, I am constantly on edge because of this fear.  Nevertheless, as I was sitting there reading and watching my children.  The bee came to my table, I had my EpiPen, but still got up and quickly walked away from the bee.  The gentleman at the table swatted at the bee and was able to kill it.  He made a comment to the other 2 individuals sitting with him, “I didn’t want to kill it, but it was getting on my nervous.”  Personally grateful, I responded to him, “Thank you so much for killing the bee, I am EpiPen dependent and they make me very nervous.  I was close to running away, and y’all were getting ready to see how fast this white woman could run.”  Of course after
I said it, I immediately thought to myself, “Really!”  “Leslie you just read about this and observed a video referring to microaggressions.  The response from the individuals at the table beside me was indeed positive.  They laughed and conversation continued.  Maybe a form of breaking the ice, but still hidden biases was present.  The stereotype that black people can run faster than white people, apparently is ingrained to say.  Now reflecting back I am glad that my actions were not taken in a negative or rude manner, as indeed that was not my intentions.  I like to think of myself as an open-minded individual, but reality is we all are affected by the history of microaggressions of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping.  Whether we are the target or whether we aim. 

            After reviewing all the remaining resources for this week and reflecting on the event of microaggression that I personally engaged in, I can see that everyone needs to reflect.  Even when you feel or believe that you accept everyone no matter the difference, our ingrain culture of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping exist.  Just as my actions, I have a diverse group of friends from all walks of life.  My biological family is diverse as well.  Never do I aim to point out differences in a negative way.  Perhaps my thoughts and comments are related to the facts I am aware of?  For example in my hometown, when I was in high school there was only 2 schools in our county.  From the encountering of those peers in sports events, the majority of speed were indeed of African Americans.  Speed from track and field, running backs in football, stealing bases in baseball, and the ability to bet most players at the net in basketball.  Therefore I could say that sometimes perceptions can be incorrect, it is not the over-all exact experience, but the facts of one’s population and culture.  Through this week’s experience and resources, I feel my awareness is indeed heighten.  I challenge everyone to evaluate their actions and behaviors to others that are different from you.  We also need to remember we have diversity for a reason, to create harmony together.  Utilizing skills and experiences individuals have to offer.  How boring if we all were the same. 

            A great source for any one to measure their unconscious bias is through the use of Implicit Association Test, IATs.  Personally I took one of the test related to race and I apparently have hidden bias that was discovered in the test.  From the example above apparently I indeed do.  Not that I have hate or ill-will for anyone, but the reality of how history impacts us allows for one to grow and change.  I challenge everyone to take these test and evaluate their hidden bias, so we can attempt to truly remain open-minded and accepting.  (Teaching Tolerance, n.d.)

Resource    

Teaching Tolerance. (n.d.). Test yourself for hidden bias. Retrieved May 25, 2011, from            http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias    

Defining Culture & Diversity

For this week’s assignment we were to ask 3 family/friends/coworkers/etc their definition of culture and diversity.  Each individual I asked ranged in difference, such as gender, socioeconomical status, and religion.  The 3 individuals responded as followed;

Aunt Jean- upper-class socioeconomic status:

Culture- the details of how a family lives their life; behaviors, life-style choices, religion, traditions, and more.

Diversity- the differences among people of things.

Uncle Veru- Male, upper-class socioeconomic status, and Hindu belief:

Culture- the way a group of people function together, communicate together, their belief, their practices, rituals, and other aspects of their life are similar in routine

Diversity- different characteristics people have from one another, such as skin color, belief and religion, language, and more.

Ovelle (Granny)- 90-year-old woman, upper-middle class socioeconomic status.

Culture- the way a number of people, joined together share a gross amount of similarities.  Impacting society through their behaviors, beliefs, knowledge, rituals, traditions, and so forth through generations and generations.  Means of survival that have been established before my time, and on.

Diversity- the difference of factors such as demographics, culture, belief and religion, education, class, and more that are found through many groups of people.

After reflecting on the answers I received from my family, I was able to grasp that each person had very similar definition to the terms culture and diversity.  The individuals I inquired information from ranged in diversity compared to my personal life.  Similarities do exist, but also do differences.  It seems they only defined the aspects of culture that many already assume or can see on the surface.  The fact that culture is imbedded in us from the experiences we encounter from the environment and the people that surrounding It, beginning at birth.  The description that the individuals used to define culture were aspects addressed in this week’s resources.  For example communication exist between culture, whether it is English, Spanish, French, or another.  The language contributes to one’s self-identity, self-esteem, and more.  The beliefs one practices or philosophy one believes.  “The process of developing a sense of self is a process of connecting an individual’s personal identity to their social identity” (Smidt, 2013, p.106).  Diversity is indeed referred to the numerous differences individuals and groups display.  Whether it is the location of ones home, their socioeconomical status, educational level, career choice, religion, sex, and more.  We are a nation full of color and experience that is truly rewarding if we focus on the positive impacts diversity has.  What a boring world if we all were the same.  “In a society as diverse as ours, maneuvering through its multiple cultures can be complex and confusing, as well as rich and delightful” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55). 

After receiving the responses from my family on the terms of culture and diversity, I feel they defined culture and diversity as most would.  In their response we can see that they presented the facts that most can see referring to those topics.  There are many factors that contribute to the term culture.  It is an extremely larger term.  The word itself may only have 7 letters, but its definition is enormous.  Culture is an order or rules that an individual and group that governs one’s life choices, actions, behaviors, and more.  The facts that were omitted from the definitions is the fact of how culture has adapted over the ethos.  During the dynamic changes in culture, many hardships were presented.  For example, in the past some cultures only allowed men to have voices, and currently women are allowed to stand-up in some cultures.  Some cultures still bare the struggle with power in society.  “Social dominance theory claims that societies are structured as group-based hierarchies out of which group conflict and oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, nationalism) arise” (Purdie-Vaughns & Eibach, 2008, p. 379).  With such a broad term or topic it can be difficult for them to understand unless they truly dive into the many facets that run into culture. 

When I reflect on the opinions or thoughts of others in references to culture and diversity, I remain open-minded, as it is a very complex term to understand.  Many individuals focus on their central unit or family, especially if they are from the dominant culture.  Which is ultimately in power of society, so things seem to flow normal for them.  It is the cultures that are not of dominance that take the greatest impact or greater sacrifices.  For example, language is a form of identity.  Language is rooted in the numerous cultures around the world.  If a family, of a minority culture is located around a gross amount of dominant culture, they can feel a bit lost.  As the children enter school systems controlled by the dominant culture, the child may have to forfeit their native language at school.  This can create conflict in several means.  The reality is I am very open-minded to say.  Not saying I am aware of the many factors contributing to the diverse cultures amongst us, but open enough to not cast judgement.  My philosophy in life is we all are created by the hands of the Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresence, it is not my place to understand everything.  I may not agree with someone, but that is the part of every individual being created uniquely, in their own identity.  I think we all would focus more on what we have to offer others, and how to help others, instead of how different we are.  We would see a greater tomorrow.  I challenge everyone to revisit their philosophy and their views of others. 

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children         (NAEYC).

Purdie-Vaughns, V., & Eibach, R. (2008). Intersectional invisibility: Distinctive advantages and disadvantages of multiple subordinate-group identities. Sex Roles (59). 377-391.

Smidt, S. (2006). The developing child in the 21st century: A global perspective on child  development. New York, NY: Routledge.

My Family Culture Assignment

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

In response to this scenario I had to actually think real hard as to the three items I would take with me to this new land of unknown.  The first item I selected to take with me would be our family Bible, it has inside its pages pictures of family members an d other significant items to our family.  The other item I would take would be a photo album of my family.  In that photo album I have my grandparents, great Aunts and Uncles, cousins, my mom and dad, the entire family that I can recall.  The last item I think I would take with me would be a blanket my mother knit for me as a child.  This is a skill she learned from my great Aunt.  In order for me to explain to others the value of these items, I would show the photos I have in the album and in the family Bible.  I feel anyone whom values family unit, regardless of culture would grasps its place in my life.  Understanding the importance of family would allow them to understand how important each of these pieces are to me.  Material items are valuable to someone, especially if it carries sentimental value, as these items do for me.

            The feelings I would have when arriving to the new country would be rather overwhelming.  Nerves would be a complete mess.  Fear, worry, anxiety would indeed be in high response.  I would still strive to hold on to my Faith and the Faith I was taught by my family growing up, which can help keep the uneasy feels down.  If on arrival I was told I could only keep one item, I would be very upset to loss any part of me.  Already encountering a distribution in my life and family, fear would carry dominance traveling to the unknown.   In the end I would decide to keep my family Bible with the limited pictures and memorabilia items inside the pages.  Even though I could keep my Faith and recite verses in my mind, it was something in the hands of many family members.  I could close my eyes and envision them touching the Bible and it seemed as if they were with me.  Having to give up part of yourself is and can be very hard, especially if by force.  Family indeed contribute to the identity of oneself. 

            An insight that I gained through this assignment of critical thinking and self-reflection is that family is at the root of all cultures.  Traditions, beliefs, religion, material items, property, and more are left down to the next generation to ensure the survival of their culture.  Of course every culture is different and the impact it makes on the lives of its members varies.  “What is acceptable in one culture may not be acceptable in another” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55).  Hold dear to your heart the values of your family and culture, so that you can always express those to your children and so forth. 

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children         (NAEYC).

The research simulation that I selected for this course was as followed:  Research question; After the exposure to a crisis, irrelevant to the time exposure, how will the child and their family cope with healthy intervention compared to those receiving no form of intervention, and was time exposure and degree of crisis contribute to the coping process. 

Hypothesis 1- Children and families that receive healthy crisis intervention following an event of adversity or crisis will develop health coping skills, regardless of the time-exposure and the crisis event, compared to those children and families whom receive little or no intervention.

Hypothesis 2- Children and families that are exposed to longer crisis event/experience, will require longer intervention, compared to those who received shorter exposure to crisis event/experience.

The reason I feel this research simulation I selected would be important to the field of early childhood would be for the fact I am trying to obtain further information and understanding to the phenomenon of the tragedy and effect of a crisis event/situation children and families face, and whether crisis intervention is beneficial or not.  If anyone is studying or reviewing the development and well-being of a child and family unit then they are contributing to the better of early childhood field.  “Research is a type of systematic investigation that is empirical in nature and is designed to contribute to public knowledge” (Trochim, Donnelly, & Arora, 2016, p. 5).  Understanding or gathering a deeper amount f knowledge on a topic is vital to public knowledge and information.  For example, the understanding and research that supports breastfeeding and attachment for infant and mother.  I have a 12-year-old and a 10-month-old, and indeed the deliveries were different and the support from nurses and lactation consultants following each delivery.  The most recent delivery seemed to have more support than the first, possible due to the gained knowledge research has presented pertaining to healthy development in an infant.  That is one first-hand experience that is contributed to advancement in knowledge and research. If we could gain vital information from my simulation, such as other studies, can we contribute to healthier coping in children and families as adversity is presented?  I feel any study that evaluates the well-being of a child and or family unit is indeed vital to the field of early childhood.  My research simulation would benefit not only the children and families suffering from a crisis and receiving intervention, but those in the field of early childhood and, I think we should consider the entire population for the most.  AS these children continue to grow and develop in life, they are and will be our future, so therefore the entire population should be concerned with the welfare and well-being of our children.  

During this course I was able to realize that studies are not just for science, math, or other particular fields.  Research can be of anything one desires to further investigate or ponder about.  Understanding a phenomenon.  Prior to this course I only foresaw research as proving facts or a point, but it is not to just prove someone’s thoughts or opinions.  It is to prove hard-core facts that lead to make vital changes for the better of humankind.  I truly advise anyone to become educated on research studies and the rich benefits it offers.  It can indeed a bit intimidating at first, but dive into the terms and the many types of research, you will find it a bit better to understand.  The fields of study and research are in every aspect of our world, just like in early childhood.  Which strives to understand the development or the child and the many wonders that children absorb.  We all are learning additional facts everyday that will contribute to healthier development and nurture in the field of early childhood.

Reference

Trochim, W. M., Donnelly, J. P., & Arora, K. (2016). Research methods: The essential     knowledge base (2nd ed.). MA: Cengage Learning.

International Resource Early Childhood Development/Education

            For my international research source, I selected http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.  This site provides international information on topics of early childhood education in Australia.  The organization advocates for children and are committed to every child.  The organization has been established for 80 years and growing with sources every year.  Striving to kept abreast with all the latest   “ECA’s vision is that every young child is thriving and learning. Our role in achieving this is to promote the rights and interests of all young children and to support the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care” (http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/become-a-member/).  The topics on their site can range from children with disabilities and special needs, programs in early childhood education and care, pedagogy from a child’s perspective, childhood development, and more.  There is also a link for parents and resources for a variety of topics for them, such as sleeping, first year of school, health and nutrition, and separation anxiety.  As a mother of 3 boys I find myself always seeking advice, as each of my children are very different.  The site also offers opportunities to engage in ECA Leadership Programs, ECA National Conference, Programs, Newsletters, and other resources that could be beneficial in one’s professional career of early childhood.  The site is very plentiful in information pertaining to the field of early childhood. 

            One topic that I researched was related to the poverty in Australia and the number of children suffering.  The numbers of children in poverty are extremely high around the world.  Australia children in poverty are approximate 731,000.  The impact of child poverty can have a life-long impact on the child’s life.  It can be very difficult for children to learn new skills to leave the lifestyles of poverty, if not given an opportunity to learn new opportunities.  As research supports the impact of early childhood education which can show an impact in a child’s life.  When a child of poverty is given the opportunity to overcome the adversity of poverty and its opportunity grows, the outcome will change.  Reducing the outcome of children in poverty will and can contribute to making an impact on those in poverty.  A national approach on those in poverty can make an impact for the future of children suffering from poverty all together. 

            This site is full of support for children and standing as a voice for children.  Many subjects referring to the development and education of children is a focus of this organization.  The purpose of this organization and others similar are vital to anyone in the field of early childhood education and development.  I can only ask you to take a look at the rich sources this site offers for yourself.  Becoming a member of this organization has great assets, but there is a fee.  Regardless of the membership there are still many vital publications and sources provided in the site.

Reference

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Positive Research in Children

There are many reasons why someone partakes in performing a research study.  Research studies enlighten us on many facts relating to the character of a human beings.  Studies from the quality of programs in early childhood education, the use of medication and the results, and more are used in finding imperative information on a particular subject.  Studies can be performed to answer curiosity, to document medical facts and findings, societal change, and more.  In my opinion if the research study does not cause harm, then we have indeed gained a positive impact.  Knowledge of whether there was no change, change, or different result is vital and should be considered positive research.  If one is willing to take the steps to perform a research study, then there is a question somewhere we need to understand.  As no study is every exact, because that would be plagiarism. Therefore all studies in my view are positive, even if no change or knowledge was gained.  Research studies have created great insight into many areas of children.  We can go back to the findings and see what we have gained or what has changed.  Studies from years ago hold value to this day, as their findings are accurate and led to understanding today.

            A positive research study that is from the past I reviewed a few years ago gave me hope in raising my children.  As a mother where is the real handbook for raising children?  Yes there are many helpful books, articles, sites, and more that help guide us through the years of younger children.  What I have found to be the most difficult of all is every child is different and many factors weigh on those character traits that make each child unique.  I have three boys and they are similar in some ways, but most often they are completely different.  Nevertheless when science and research present facts that our biological body is particularly hard-wired to work a certain way, then we have many answers to the questions we may ponder,  For example a positive study that is dated, but is in fact vital information in todays study of many fields, such as psychology, sociology, science and more.  Howard Gardner is an accreditive researcher in many studies.  His earlier work was the question of multiple intelligences, which sheds great light into the world of development.  The study he completed in 1998 on the impact of peers in the lives of children verse parents gave me peace of mind to say.  As I described above being a parent is not easy and we learn with each child, each experience, and more.  Knowing the findings in this study conclude that parents and peers are complementary.  “Parents are more important when it comes to education, discipline, responsibility, orderliness, charitableness, and ways of interacting with authority figures.  Peers are more important for learning cooperation, for finding the road to popularity, for inventing styles of interaction among people of the same age” (Myers, 2013, p. 147).  Knowing that children need their peers in contributing to development of their self-identity and more.  Also understanding that in the end we can contribute to the environments our children encounter, for the most.  Understanding how we as parents can impact our children is vital in my eyes, so any knowledge I can obtain is valuable.  Research can inform us of many facts that we ponder or can gain from.     

            The chosen topic for the research simulation that I will partake in during this course through Walden University is childhood crisis.  The topic childhood crisis can be extremely broad, thereforth I have selected three subtopics to funnel my topic of interest.  The subtopics of childhood crisis are as followed: 1. healthy early childhood development.  I am referring to all aspects of development: physical, mental, emotional, social, and beyond.  The fact is biology of a child intertwines the characters of its’ mother and father, parental grandmother and grandfather, as well as maternal grandmother and grandfather.  These characters do not define the child unless their experiences demonstrate those traits, such as temperament, adaptivity, and more.  The vital source in understanding healthy development of a child allows us the opportunity to better understand the need for healthy experience in a holistic approach.  When adversity is presents to a child, their response and the response they are taught will determine whether this adversity will create maladaptive in development.  This maladaptation marks our experience and creates development concerns.  Understanding what it takes to create an environment that promotes healthy living in infancy and beyond is vital for many reasons, as the one I will address, childhood crisis.  2. Crisis children face.  Not every child will experience the same things from life.  Some may have opportunities to go on family vacations with very loving parents, and so forth.  Or one can experience a lonely childhood with limited exposure to others.  Perhaps a child whom faces the death of a parent or both.  Or the child who is starving and homeless.  There are many crises a child can be faced with.  Some of these crises vary with culture.  For example immigration, religion, and so forth.  Understanding that a child can face the same adversities as an adult, without the perception of an adult is vital in promoting healthy development in childhood.  Becoming prepared as a community, as well as the family unit can determine whether a child will overcome the crisis they have been faced with.  3. Lastly the subtopic of crisis intervention and readiness in childhood.  Educating and teaching families how to cope themselves, as well as the tools to prepare them for assisting their children in overcoming any crisis they encounter is vital for healthy life.  When one is prepared for an obstacle, the obstacle is not as bad as if we were lost in functioning after the event.  Though there are services to offer crisis intervention and therapy, many may not seek services or acknowledge the need for help.  A crisis is a challenge for many adults, children rely and dependent on an adult for everything.  Therefore we need to be as healthy as we can for the child, so we can also promote healthy development.

            The topic childhood crisis is very dear to me.  I am an adult whom suffered from many childhood adversities and reap those crisis to date to say.  I lost my mother at age 6, very strict/stern father, several other deaths, and other obstacles to say.  I currently suffer from many mental illness as they are called.  I personally like to classify them as imperfections.  As humans we all have imperfections.  Nevertheless I feel with proper support and knowledge to myself and my family, I many not have anxiety, PTSD, and depression.  As I have grown up and became educated on many topics, I have found clarity and understanding to the imbalances I have.  Due to the obstacles I face, I vowed to never allow my children to face any difficult adversity if I could control it.  Well, as life happens a bad marriage in many ways led to an ugly divorce.  Ironically my very first major research paper I had to complete at Liberty University in obtaining my BS in psychology, crisis counseling, was on the effects of divorce and children.  I of course know that the situation I was in was hazardous for myself and children and that indeed is unhealthy.  So in other words I have a passion to help any child and family in overcome any emotional adversity, physical adversity, social adversity, mental adversity, or any adversity that life presents them.  Preparing and educating the community, to include the parents in the tools of crisis intervention is prime in making an impact to the childhood crisis and the marks it leaves.

            With the topics I have selected could anyone give me an insight on the best route to obtain information?  The best sources for these topics?  I have read the following articles related to healthy development in early childhood, my first subtopic.  What would be your insight? 

References:

Burvyte, S. (2011, November 1). Individual’s resistance to social crises acquired in childhood.     Journal of Pedagogy and psychology, (4). DOI: 10.2478/v10195-011-0041-6.

Comaskey, B., Noralou, R., Brownell, M., Ennis, M., Chateau, D., Chelsea, R., & Ekuma, O.       (2017, May 24). Maternal depression and anxiety disorders (MADA) and child development: A Manitoba population-based study. PLOS One, 12(5). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177065.     

Myers, K. (2012, January 20). Marking time: some methodological and historical perspectives on            the ‘crisis of childhood’. Research Papers in Education, 27(4). 409-422.            DOI:10.1080/02671522.2012.690237.