Looks at some of the problems posed by the great degree of multi-culturalism within in the classroom.
This paper discusses some of the difficulties that arise when there are many different cultures and nationalities present within a classroom. The paper points out how different cultures may misinterpret gestures and behaviors and explores some of the approaches available for resolving the conflicts that arise from these misinterpretations.
“According to the United States 2000 Census, from 1900 to 2000, the number of non-Southern states with populations of at least 10 percent races other than white increased from 2 to 26, reflecting the spread of diversity across the country. During these ten years, the Hispanic population more than doubled. Minority children accounted for 98 percent of the growth in the child population during the 1990s. Only 200,000 of the 8.7 million children added to the population between 1990 and 2000 were non-Hispanic white children. Racial diversity among children is increasing at a fast pace. Minority children, any group other than non-Hispanic white, accounted for 39 percent of the population under 18 in 2000, compared with 31 percent in 1990. “n” nRacial and Hispanic minorities account for a significantly larger share of children than of adults. In 2000, about 39 percent of children were minorities, compared with 28 percent of adults.”