DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL ISSUES Savana Neher This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
RESOURCES https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/diversity-schools https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s1 2889-024-18530-w https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_F amilies/FFFGuide/Diversity_and_Culture_in_Child_Mental_Health_Care118.aspx https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it Beasley, Jennifer and Haulmark, Myra. Introduction to Education, 2010. Accessed on March 13, 2025.
CULTURE The different customs and practices of a particular nation, people or group. https://c.pxhere.com/images/9a/c4/bf8b0579658fdd5d8a15d50fc75c1603837.jpg!d
RELIGION A specific faith or way of worship that is important to oneself. https://svgsilh.com/svg/1321398.svg
GENDER Members of a specific group or identity- male or female, different than biological sex. https://images.pexels.com/photos/1094071/pexels-photo1094071.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS Referring to a specific group or individual that is measured typically by income or job titles. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
POVERTY Probability of children succeeding in life is less likely due to poverty. Students who live in poverty tend to test lower on tests. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
HOMELESSNESS As of 2000, there were 928,429 homeless children in the US. These children have a higher rate of dropping out, due to instances of emotional and mental abuse. These children also are more likely to get involved with illegal drugs and alcohol abuse. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND
FAMILY The lack of parental involvement is high among children who have social issues, according to schools. Children spend more time at school due to the issue of having to rely on school buses https://svgsilh.com/svg/2025658.svg
DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND ABUSE Some issues can start early on with fetal alcohol syndrome. Drug use can affect the fetal process, as well depleting nutrients and the development process. Parents with drug and alcohol abuse also tend to be emotionally distant and will be neglectful to their children. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SANC
STIGMA AROUND LGBTQ2+ YOUTH “The stress and stigma of being a sexual orientation or gender identity minority can increase developmental risks, still too common are concerns around bullying in schools and schools not fully addressing the educational needs of children and youth who are sexual or gender minorities, or those who are questioning their sexual and gender identities.” https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/diversity-schools https://images.pexels.com/photos/5838321/pexels-photo5838321.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=750&w=1260
HEALTH CARE “Data from 329 children were collected. We determined the impact of DDS and DSS and other factors on the health status of children aged 2–14 years, using a probit model. The cost of illness (e.g., typhus, stomach ulcers, coughs, flu, and fever) due to low food diversity was calculated from medical registration fees, medical action costs, transportation costs, and other costs.” https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s1 2889-024-18530-w https://svgsilh.com/svg/1294848.svg
MENTAL HEALTH “Culture influences how we understand and respond to behavior. Cultural competency is important for considering the following areas of family life: Behaviors that are common and “normal” in one culture even when they are not in others Ways to manage everyday problems that can occur between a child and parents or others Religious beliefs, practices, and events Family customs and traditions Conflicts that arise between parents and children if the child is spending more time with friends than with family Different ways of expressing emotions and problems” https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFFGuide/Diversity_and_Culture_in_Child_Mental_Health_Care-118.aspx https://svgsilh.com/svg/1294854.svg
CYBERBULLYING “Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.” “(National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice) indicates that, nationwide, among students ages 12-18 in grades 6- 12 who reported being bullied during school (19.2% of all students), about 21.6% reported being bullied online or by text, including nearly twice as many girls (27.7%) as boys (14.1%).” https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
LACK OF ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY “The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, and communities that have access to modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) and those that do not. This divide can manifest in various ways, including differences in access to high-speed internet, computers, and digital literacy skills.” “The persistence of the access and connectivity divide, which runs in parallel with learning that depends upon access to devices and connectivity to the internet, further alienates students who are already underserved and disadvantaged.” https://www.learning.com/blog/digital-divide-statistics/ https://openclipart.org/image/2400px/s vg_to_png/12789/Anonymous-giscomputer.png
CHILDHOOD OBESITY “Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. It affects more than 18% of children, making it the most common chronic. With more and more children being diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, and other obesity-related conditions associated with obesity, it’s important to know the complex physiological, environmental, and socioeconomic causes of childhood obesity. Some of those are: Environment Dietary patterns Genetics Health conditions Health disparities High amounts of stress Lack of physical activity Not getting enough good-quality sleep Medicines Socioeconomic Status disease of childhood.” https://www.obesityaction.org/education-support/learn-about-childhood-obesity/causes/ https://open.maricopa.edu/app/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/food-pyramid5329204_1280-1024x867.png
IMAGINE…. You are a first-year teacher and a student of yours raises an issue that their cultural identity has been left out of the classroom topics and the student feels upset. How would you handle this situation and fix this issue going forward?
REFLECT…. You are a first-year teacher and a student confides in you that they are being bullied. How do you deal with this situation in a safe, yet effective manner? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND
MY OWN EXPERIENCES… I personally grew up in a household that struggled with poverty, parental issues and social issues where I became obese as a child. I have dealt with obesity from an age that I was too young to remember and still struggle into adulthood with finding a balance. Social and emotional issues contribute to my issues, mainly and reflecting, the lack of nutritional meals as a child were a major contributing factor in my life. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL ISSUES… These issues that are faced by children in all the terms mentioned here, are so important because these challenges shape the development of our future children, as well as their future success. As future educators, we can do our best to make a commitment to ensure children do not continue to face these issues, and when they do, we need to be ready to offer solutions, and if we cannot, support during the hard times.