Perceptions of the Somalian Culture
Inaccurate Perception: Lack of Eye Contact -
Misconception: Somali Parents are NOT active in their Child’s Education -
Misconception: Education is not valued or Important to Somali Parents -
Stereotypes and Cultural Perception of Somali and Muslim Practices since 9/11 -
- Teachers may think that the students are lying, not listening or being disrespectful due to lack of eye contact:
- Actually, sometimes Somalis will not look people in the eye right away. It’s important to know that not making eye contact is most probably not a sign of disrespect.
Misconception: Somali Parents are NOT active in their Child’s Education -
- Teachers may think that parents are not active in their childrens’ education, and progress.
- Many Somali mothers use friends as translators and some won’t go to school because they don’t speak English. The data from Dinovitzer, Hagan, & Parker, 2003 support the idea that parental involvement and close monitoring are important for academic success.
- Conversely, Somali mothers are invested in the belief that parental monitoring is a contributor of educational success, therefore they are active in their child’s education and may be getting information and support through community members and other services.
- Some Somali parents will drop in at school to check up on their child’s education at any time, not only when called in for parent-teacher conferences. Although this is not conventional and perhaps not preferred by teachers in the US, the message to the children is clear: their mother is going to find out how things are going in school thus demonstrating their valuation of getting a good education.
Misconception: Education is not valued or Important to Somali Parents -
- Somali parents often have a strong positive attitude toward education.
- When positive attitudes for education are shared by the youth, then education success occurs.
- Parental involvement in their children’s education and helping with homework can help tremendously with educational success. Many Somali parents seek outside support for their children with homework and tutoring. This may not be shared with or observed by the classroom teacher even though it is occurring.
Stereotypes and Cultural Perception of Somali and Muslim Practices since 9/11 -
- The majority of Somalis are Muslim and there does exist in the U.S. a fear of Muslims, especially after the tragedy of September 11, 2001 since many associate such beliefs with extremism and terrorism.
- There is a negative stereotype and a mistrust of Muslims as terrorists and anti-American.
- In response to this racism and oppression, Somalis may not trust others and may be cautious about allowing others into their community.
- Somalis gain their strength in group membership and group activities.