Maritza
Rodriguez
Break the Barriers
Introduction
My story is the story of most Hispanics’
formative years. My grandparents did not learn to read
and my uncles and my mother solely received an elementary education. Growing up in American, I
was alone in the world of education and these pursuits resulted difficult as I did not have parental
support that could help me be successful. I lived in life’s scarceness both economically and
educationally. However, my goal was to change the course of my life and I worked for that
achievement. I grew up hearing family members speak against the destructive and delinquent
behaviors of our streets. Staying away from certain behaviors fitted moral values conceded to me. My
family’s strong believes in honest hard work, stands memorable in my heart. I pursued and worked
for a better future. This prevented me from being one more number in statistics. Even though a low rate of minorities’ college graduates exists, many adolescents aspire for a bright future. Kazdin (1993) stated that at-risk referred to the "increased likelihood over base rates in the population that a particular outcome will occur" (p. 129). For my research paper, I interviewed an adolescent who fits the definition of “at risk”. First, I will explain for alarming statistics depicting the low percentage of Hispanics graduates. I seek to investigate his chances of obtaining an education and how he sees his situation. For purpose of the study, I will call him Andres.
and my uncles and my mother solely received an elementary education. Growing up in American, I
was alone in the world of education and these pursuits resulted difficult as I did not have parental
support that could help me be successful. I lived in life’s scarceness both economically and
educationally. However, my goal was to change the course of my life and I worked for that
achievement. I grew up hearing family members speak against the destructive and delinquent
behaviors of our streets. Staying away from certain behaviors fitted moral values conceded to me. My
family’s strong believes in honest hard work, stands memorable in my heart. I pursued and worked
for a better future. This prevented me from being one more number in statistics. Even though a low rate of minorities’ college graduates exists, many adolescents aspire for a bright future. Kazdin (1993) stated that at-risk referred to the "increased likelihood over base rates in the population that a particular outcome will occur" (p. 129). For my research paper, I interviewed an adolescent who fits the definition of “at risk”. First, I will explain for alarming statistics depicting the low percentage of Hispanics graduates. I seek to investigate his chances of obtaining an education and how he sees his situation. For purpose of the study, I will call him Andres.
Literature review
For Hispanics in the United States, the
educational experience is one of accumulated
disadvantages. Many Hispanic students begin formalized schooling without the economic and social
resources that many other students receive, and schools are often ill equipped to compensate for
these initial disparities. For Hispanics, initial disadvantages often stem from parents' immigrant and
socioeconomic status and their lack of knowledge about the U.S. education system. Initial
disadvantages continue to accumulate, resulting in Hispanics having the lowest rates of high school
and college degree attainment, which hinders their chances for stable employment. The situation of
Hispanic educational attainment is cause for national concern. Given the growth of Hispanic
population in the United States, most notably in the past decade, and the increasing importance of a
college degree even for entry jobs, the barriers Hispanics face in realizing their educational ambitions
is a major concern. Despite high educational expectations, Hispanics are among the least educated
group in the United States: 11 percent of those over age 25 have earned a bachelor's degree or higher
compared with 17 percent of blacks, 30 percent of whites, and 49 percent of Asian Americans in the
same age group. Today, most parents and their children believe that a college degree is necessary for
obtaining stable and meaningful work. [1]
disadvantages. Many Hispanic students begin formalized schooling without the economic and social
resources that many other students receive, and schools are often ill equipped to compensate for
these initial disparities. For Hispanics, initial disadvantages often stem from parents' immigrant and
socioeconomic status and their lack of knowledge about the U.S. education system. Initial
disadvantages continue to accumulate, resulting in Hispanics having the lowest rates of high school
and college degree attainment, which hinders their chances for stable employment. The situation of
Hispanic educational attainment is cause for national concern. Given the growth of Hispanic
population in the United States, most notably in the past decade, and the increasing importance of a
college degree even for entry jobs, the barriers Hispanics face in realizing their educational ambitions
is a major concern. Despite high educational expectations, Hispanics are among the least educated
group in the United States: 11 percent of those over age 25 have earned a bachelor's degree or higher
compared with 17 percent of blacks, 30 percent of whites, and 49 percent of Asian Americans in the
same age group. Today, most parents and their children believe that a college degree is necessary for
obtaining stable and meaningful work. [1]
Case Study/Gee’s Building tasks of
language
Significance
The interview took place in the family’s
residence. The first question I asked
Andre was to tell me about his goals and he said he intended to attend college
once he finishes High School and that he might pursuit to be a detective. During the interview I asked Andre how he sees
himself. He said “I see himself as a
normal regular person who wants to succeed like everyone else in this
world”. In this statement, he made a
comparison between everyone else and himself. This statement represents a
difference exists between people of success and him which is the realization or
culmination of education. The fact that he began the sentence with “I see
myself” as if defending himself against how others actually see him reflects
that he sees that others see him different.
This is further supported by choices of words and the way he answered
the following question: “How do you
think people see you”? “I don't really
mind how people see me”, “I really mind how my family sees me, but people not
related to me, I don't care”.
Overall, Andres considers himself
“normal”, capable of aspiring for achievement as we all do. But, I insist that something is keeping him
from achieving success. I proceed to
explain as follows. Even though he
states “There are no obstacle one the way,” it seemed to me by the tone of
voice, that this he stated as an effort to reassure himself that he will break
through barriers because he is resilient enough. Here, he tries to make himself strong in
order to “make it” which means obtain his goals. Certain doors are closed
making, it difficult to reach his goals.
This is further reflected by the statement, “If I keep repeating that I
can, then I will”. In addition, he said,
“There are people who come from way worse situation than I and they make it and
if they make it, I can make it too”. In this line, Andres’s language usage indicated
that his situation is not ideal; indicate of a struggle, but one he surely will
overcome.
Identity
The fact that he said, “There are people
who come from worse situation than I do reflects that he is not “normal” as he
thinks he is. His situation, which I
previously described, is the struggle he must endure. This is also sign of position as compared to
those who achieve academic success. The fact that he said it with assertion
indicated willingness to fight until he succeeds. The tone of his voice was
defensive indicating his believes in his rights to have success like everyone
else and that nothing should stand on his way of his pursuits. In a sense, he
is creating a future through language by repeated efforts of his convictions. For example, he said, “If I keep repeating it
to myself, then I will make it”. This is
his effort to create new identity of what would be his new self. In the end, success would means obtaining an
education and being able to get a good paying job to live comfortable. Being
able to change his life for the better, means that he will no longer be
subjected to live in need of the basic necessities money provides. James Gee
defines identity as: “Being recognized
as a certain “kind of person,” in a given context. In this context he can also
create a social identity because he would be able to expand into certain
circles. Various discourses he does not
belong, he enters through educational achievements.
Relationship
Now, a
person who does not have a college degree has little opportunity of obtaining a
good paying job which the reason why he desires to attend college. Yet, he elected to attend a vocational school
which does not measure up to a High school education and leaves little room for
his acceptance into college. A good paying
job is only attainable through a college education and for that purpose, a High
School education is most appropriate because that edification prepares us for
college work. Therefore, I asked Andres how come he elected to attend a
vocational school instead High School. He
responded that at first he wanted to attend High School, but that his Mom did
not want him to because of school fights at the High School. His mother as authority
figure at home and in life sets certain standards. In this case, the alternate route he selected
was not his choice but that of his mother.
Therefore, this is a control measure in his life decision making. As a
result, the authority figure impacts the outcomes and what Andres creates of his
future.
Conclusion
After
conducting the case study and analyzing the language, it substantially revealed
that while it is true that struggles exist, it is up to the individuals to
judge situations and thereby how to proceed.
Andres’s hunger for success and interest in changing his life seems to overpower
indicates. However, variance in situations
from individuals to individuals must be acknowledged. At instances, youth are highly disadvantaged when parents do
not expose them to literacy. Too many factors implicates why a
person does not obtain a college degree. Obtaining an education is paramount importance. Hispanics in
particular face many barriers that should be address as a nation. Nevertheless,
personal will power matters. Many
times, our life path has barriers and obstacles that we must break in order to
change or achieve rewards. We should
fight with all our might to change the course of actions, because those rewards
are not only for us, but for our family and our society as a whole.
References
1.
Schhneider B, Martinez S, Owens A. Barriers to Educational Opportunities for
Hispanics in the United States. In: National Research Council (US) Panel on
Hispanics in the United States; Tienda M, Mitchell F, editors. Hispanics and
the Future of America. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2006. 6. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19909
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