One of the themes from The Country of the Blind that was also brought up in class is this idea of labeling based on assumptions and how that can be affected based on culture (as well as a variety of other things). I thought this point brought up in class about the label that Nunez applied after seeing the wild plastering and assuming the person who did it must be “as blind as a bat” is very much related to the labels applied in the field of education. Throughout my experience in schools, both as a student and as well as in pre-professional work, I have noticed a great deal of labeling going on amongst students, teachers, faculty and parents. Assumptions and labeling can be very dangerous, and have the potential to follow an individual for the rest of his or her life.
I recently read an article for another class that had to do with ways in which the Department of Education needs to change things in the school systems. One point that was brought up was that students who get reduced or free lunches are often stigmatized by others, and thus more schools need to implement systems in which every student uses a card or pin number, thereby leaving the price of their lunch unknown to others.
This point got me thinking about just how important something like this can be. While many teachers and parents probably would not admit it, assumptions are made and labeling occurs when a child receives a free lunch. By noticing something like this, people automatically assume things about the child’s home life, parents, socioeconomic status, etc. when there could be any number of reasons why a child is receiving a free lunch. Assumptions and labels such as these illustrate how particularly dangerous labeling can be because it can then lead to further assumptions and thus even more labeling. Once a child receiving a free lunch also receives the labels that come with that, assumptions and labels might also then be applied to their parents’ education, work ethic, etc.
Labels as a whole are very dangerous in schools in particular because situations like these can lead to assumptions about groups as a whole, based on culture, race, ethnicity, income, etc. For example, if multiple people of a certain cultural group tend to do well or poorly in a certain area, assumptions may be made about this group as whole and can potentially affect them, as well as others who are not in that group throughout their lives. This may explain why achievement gaps exist, or why students of certain income levels, ethnic backgrounds and gender get accepted into certain universities more easily than others. There is a snowball effect when it comes to labeling that is much more dangerous than people often think it to be.
I feel that Sam has addressed an important issue in relation to Country of the Blind and education. Speaking primarily to assumptions and labeling as it was exemplied in the story and how this is a real life issue in education. I would first say that in an ideal world mankind would not take this approach in how we treat one another. Additionally as individuals we would be better off acknowledging that a negative perspective one may have of our life is a reflection of their own insecurities and discontent in life. Sadly we do make judgements of others and most people are significantly affected emotionally by these opinions. The example of subsidized lunches being a tool for students to prejudge one another is valid, and draws the point that sensativity is necessary in these types of scenarios. Again it is tragic that it is necessary, however an approach of anonymity is a means for sheltering students from the ridicule of others. Thank you again Sam for touching on such a valid and real life issue.
ReplyDeleteSam, I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about the possible stigmas and consequences of labeling, and felt the school lunches were a perfect example.
ReplyDeleteI had a few friends who received free lunches throughout school, and I can remember times when they would feel embarrassed about punching their codes in, and other times when they did not want to go to the cafeteria/eat at all. I never thought much about this, or even considered why they had these feelings of embarrassment, but I can understand now that they simply did not want the other students to judge them or make assumptions regarding their family life. I actually had not thought about these instances until reading your post.
I like the suggestion of giving everyone a school code/pin number because it creates a uniformity within the student body and doesn't isolate individual students. It would be interesting to see how a school would carry this out, and if new difficulties would come with the new system, i.e. would parents pay money before hand or after wards? or Would everyone be offered the same menu or would students with school grants continue to be easily pointed out?