Author Question: How has the ethnic composition of the United States changed since the late 1960s and early 1970s? ... (Read 161 times)

Coya19@aol.com · **on:** Jun 20, 2018

How has the ethnic composition of the United States changed since the late 1960s and early 1970s? Incorporate into your answer the concepts of the melting pot and cultural pluralism.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain how being prompt, consistent, and reasonable seem to be effective tactics for managing student behavior. Provide at least three reasons that threats seem to be an ineffective way of handling student misbehavior in the classroom.

What will be an ideal response?

Jadwiga9 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The rise of multiculturalism is discussed in the text on pages 93-94 and 96 . Up until the 1960s and 1970s, it was generally felt that immigrants should relinquish customs, views, and native languages and become incorporated into the customs, beliefs, and language of mainstream America. This phenomenon, known as the melting pot, was accomplished through the public school system. With the social unrest of the 1960s and 1970s, however, emerged the belief that cultural autonomy had a value of its own that superseded the value of a society that was homogeneous in language and custom. This emerging perspective gave rise to the notion of cultural pluralism, or cultural diversity, found in the United States today.
At the same time, because of changes in birthrates and immigration patterns, the ethnic composition of the United States is increasing. During the early part of this century, the populations of Latino/Latina, African American, and Asian Americans are expected to increase while the population of white Americans decreases, with the result that by the year 2025, white school-age children will comprise only slightly more than half the school-age population. The net result of this shift in ethnic composition and rise in cultural pluralism is that the United States, rather than being a melting pot, is increasingly becoming a study in ethnic diversity.

Answer to Question 2

Promptly dealing with a behavior problem lessens the likelihood that the particular student, or the rest of the class, will get out of hand. Consistency lets students know what to expect from the teacher and promotes the idea that the classroom is a secure environment in which students can learn to control their destiny and behavior. Reasonableness is essential because a teacher is expected to promote justice in the classroom rather than chaos.
Threats appear to escalate hostility, are difficult to carry out, and promote the idea of getting even with students. It is quite possible that students might model this type of behavior and increase the use of threats on the playground, in the lunchroom, and in other social situations.