Understanding European

American Children and

Adolescents

Chloe, Todd & Tami

 Origins
Between 1830 and 1930 there was a mass
immigration to the U.S.

● About 32 million Europeans left for the U.S. leaving

behind vastly large populations, the lack of available
farming lands and the abolition of feudalism in the
rural areas.
 ● In the colonial Days most is came from
Immigrants came from Great Britain and
Ireland
● A few also came from Germany, France,the
Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg

● During the early 19th century Germans

Began coming in increasing numbers
French,Norwegians, and Swedes also came due
to the economic pressures and the prospects of
free land and good wages.
They brought with them:
● Tradesmen
● Farmers
● Weavers
● Tailors
● Shoemakers
● Carpenters
 According to the U.S. Census in 2005 Approx. 46,500
Europeans entered the U.S. as permanent residents.
Although little information is available to where they have
chosen to live, it is believed many families settled close to the
ports which they entered.
Stereotypes
● Not immune to stereotypes
○ Italian
○ Jewish
○ Scottish/ Irish
○ British
Cultural Characteristics
● Values include emphasis on the individual personal achievement
independence and control over one’s environment.
● Hold firm beliefs of privacy, free enterprise and private property.
● self- sufficiency(as opposed to teamwork) competition and communication that
is direct informal and assertive.
● They place importance on time,cleanliness, hard work material comforts
material wealth and a focus on hardwork and future
Gender
● Different POV’s
● Female European Americans
○ Taught to be dependant
○ Should not outperform males
○ Relationship/ family oriented
● Male European Americans
○ Values self
○ Academic Success
○ Individual freedom
Socioeconomic Status
● Almost nothing recorded
● Varies based on factors
○ Patriarch present?
○ Matriarch working?
○ Number of children?
○ Where in the US do they live?
Families
● Date of immigration
● Original Country
● Social Status
● Religion
● Parents active in academic career of children
● Parents role in the house varies
Religion
● Conversation should be approached with caution
● Religious orders are a major part of certain European
American cultures
○ Irish Americans
○ Italian Americans
○ Greek Americans
Language
Factors that Influence learner’s ability to speak English

● Whether their parents and families live in language enclaves

● Whether parents speak native language in home
● Whether or not parents are trying to learn to speak English
● Schools efforts to provide programs in English as a second language (while still
showing appreciation for native languages)

Considerable variations exist in European Americans’ ability to speak English

Most learners from Germany and the United Kingdom have little difficulty with the English
language

Most learners from Italy experience difficulty with the language

School Practices that Promote Progress
School practices can interfere with students’ learning and overall school progress

Schools often do have practices that do not contribute to the academic

achievement and overall development of all learners :

- Policies towards language may be a detrimental factor

- Schools forbidding learners to speak native language in the classroom
- Schools fail to provide adequate English as a second language programs
- Learners are then taught in a language they do not fully understand
- Teachers fail to realize the different cultures and the differing learning styles/ perspectives of
motivation and school success

Due to language difficulties or teachers’ perceptions, schools sometimes place

European Americans in a group that is academically too high/ low for their abilities
Promoting Cultural Identities
Educators can realize that cultural characteristics vary among European
Americans and that people can differ according to generational status and age,
socioeconomic status, and gender

Educators can help European American children and adolescents understand

culture, recognize how culture affects people’s lives, and understand that they
cannot place values on culture

Educators can try to provide all children with accurate and objective materials, and
lead discussions about culture and cultural differences that dispel as many myths,
distortions, and stereotypes as possible
Examples of Learning Activities

● Form groups of three or four that, if possible, represent the United States’
cultural and gender diversity
○ Design an interview to learn about to differences in cultural characteristics, language, family,
and gender
○ Make a list of stereotypes that go along with each culture and why they are incorrect
○ Discuss how girls and boys have different perceptions of motivation and school success along
with perceptions of learning strategies
○ Explain why every learner of every culture is an integral part of the classroom and the world in
general
Question #1 : Todd
Explain how the concept of family for European Americans might vary based upon
each factor as country of origin, date of immigration, socioeconomic conditions and
religion.

Depending on the above factors, European American families see variations on

which parent is the leader of the household, the importance of religion. The
majority of examples given in “Multicultural Education of Children and Adults” list
the father as the head of the family who is the distant, authoritative parent, and the
wife’s main focus is to care for the house.
Question #2 : Chloe
Elaborate on some steps which educators can utilize to help elevate European
American learners’ self esteem and cultural identifies.

Some steps that educators can utilize to help elevate European American learners’ self esteem and cultural
identities would be to :

● express interest in the background of your students and celebrate the differences in traditions, beliefs and
behaviors. This not only allows children from different backgrounds to connect but also allow European
American students to realize their own culture
● Make sure the classroom and education is inclusive within all cultures, including the diverse European
American cultures
● Keep in mind the diversity of language within different cultures including the European American students
and celebrate diversity of language and tailor the instruction to those who need it
● Place European American students in academically correct groups to allow them to work with other children
of their education level and rise self esteem.
Question #3 : Chloe
How might educator’s address the history of European immigration into the U.S. in
a way that fosters multicultural awareness and understanding?

Educators can address the history of European immigration into the U.S in different ways that foster multicultural
awareness and understanding. Educators could emphasize that the European immigration contributed to the
nation’s expansion and industrial growth. Without the European immigration into the U.S, the U.S would not be
what it has come to be today. Everyone immigrates for a specific reason, and the European Americans reasons
included good wages and free land. Educators could also discuss the multiple cultures that immigrated into the
U.S and the hurdles they had to overcome to get here. This not only shows that every diversity has overcome
struggles, but also makes other children understand the importance of awareness of cultures. There are so many
demographics of European Americans, and it is important to foster understanding and awareness of this.
Question #4 : Todd
Identify some of the common stereotypes attached to European American groups
in the popular media. What is the role of educators in dispelling some of the
perceptions?

The educators’ role in dispelling perceptions of European Americans is to insure

that negative stereotypes do not seep into the classroom and shut down any
instance in which students or faculty perpetuate such views.
Question #5 : Tami
Address how some European Americans might have difficulty appreciating the
need for multicultural emphasis in education. What challenges do they face in light
of changing demographics?

Many European families know English when immigrating to the U.S. so

often times they have an easier time adjusting to the education system and
cultural aspects of this country. While the demographics of the country are
changing and English is now offered as a second language some schools
fail to provide adequate programs. Educators often overlook that learners
have different learning styles and views on motivation and success.
Thank
you!