case Study: Identity Development
Introduction
Ethnic identity entails the view of a person concerning his self-concept and the perception developed by other people relating to him or her. Identity has served as a critical factor in outlining the aspects of the society relating to a particular group of people. Furthermore, the identification of one’s identity helps a person to react to the perception of the community based on his decently. In consideration, a person can uphold or undermine the society view based on his opinion concerning his or her ethnic identity. The paper develops research on the status of Latino students within higher institutions of learning in the U.S. In return; the essay oversees an interview conducted to a Latino student seeking to identify the view of Latino students concerning their identity within higher institutions of learning that is colleges and universities.
Regarding prior research on the topic, scholars develop that student interaction and organizations play a crucial role in enhancing the identity development of various groups within higher institutions of learning. In relation, they oversee the connection and socialization of students upon which students develop views concerning their identities and sense of belonging to the society (Solis, 2019). Based on student organization development, most institutions lack Latino student organization upon which Latino students involve themselves in White student organizations. The participation in white student organizations curtails the development of their identity within institutions since most white student organizations focus on white student’s welfare. Similarly, Latino students oversee the development of racial discriminative activities that seek to undermine their presence among white students in various institutions. Institutions should help society to embrace the Latino community by creating environments that uphold the identity of Latino students.
Methodology
In the course of my study, I interviewed Mr P. The respondent is 23 years old and resides in California. P is currently a fourth-year student in a white-dominated college institution pursuing a degree in Economics. Regarding the selection process, I identified an institution where white students consist of the larger population of the institution. Concerning the interviewee, I identified a student who claimed a Latino decently and had adequate knowledge concerning the development of activities within the recognized institution. In this regard, I would acquire reliable information concerning my topic of study. The main aim of the interview was to determine the identity of Latino students in higher institution of learning. The interview got conducted on 2nd June at the student’s residence in California for one hour. I recorded the conversation for analysis purposes after the meeting. Regarding the review, I acquired information related to my research more so on Latino student’s identity development. In return, I developed a detailed analysis to identify the identity of Latino students within the institution.
Results
The research focused on the interaction developed Latino students and other institution stakeholders, more so their fellow students. Furthermore, the investigation determined the social organization of Latino students within the institution by studying student leadership. Regarding, the interaction of Latino students with other students, the respondent identified that White students often view them as inferior students and attribute them to failure in their various courses of major. In particular, the interviewee disclosed that his classmates and the tutor got surprised by his excellent performance in economics despite having majored in one of the most complex branches that is, financed. However, the respondent identified that Latino students performed better in various fields despite being perceived to be less intelligent compared to white students.
Concerning student organizations within the institution, the respondent disclosed the school had only one student organization made up of the whites. In return, Latino students enrolling in the college got assimilated in the existing student body. However, the participation of Latino student in the student organization activities gets deterred owing to lack of representation in the organization leadership. In relation, the affairs of Latino rarely acquire the attention of the organization leaders since they get overwhelmed by the welfare of the white students who are the majority in the institution. Similarly, organization members often despise Latino students claiming there are not part of the organization since they are different from other students. Based on the outlined challenges, Latino students rarely participate in student organization activities. Regarding the development of Latino student organizations, P disclosed that Latino students are developing an organization upon which they will get to connect and address various challenges in the course of their studies.
Discussion
Concerning the results acquired following the interview, it is evident that White student despises Latino students by viewing them as less intelligent upon which they expect them to fail in-class examinations. However, Latino students seek to disapprove the notion that they are inferior compared to the White student through working hard and scoring higher grades. In this regard, Latino students seek to develop a new identity regarding their capability and performance. The perception further advances in the development of student organization affairs upon which the voice of Latino student gets undermined, and they get restricted form acquiring leadership position in the organization. The move enhances the desire for change among the Latino students upon which they can communicate their needs and ensure the wellbeing of Latino students in higher learning institutions. In relation, Latino students come together and develop a Latino student body. The discrimination serves as a factor of enhancing unity among Latino students through which they build their affairs and link with the institution administration.
Furthermore, the development of a Latino student’s body helps the student to develop a sense of belonging to the institution by developing their needs along with the requirements of white students. The move aims at promoting equality for all students within the institution. In this regard, Latino students develop an equality identity to the White students.
Conclusion
Latino students are developing a counter mechanism to restructure the view of higher institution stakeholder concerning their performance and representation in the student’s body. In particular, the white population within academic institutions undermines the capability of Latino student by identifying them as less intelligent and less deserving to be in higher institutions of learning. On the contrary, Latino student’s performance contrasts the notion since Latino student perform better compared to white students. Also, the leadership system in academic institution seeks to diminish the wellbeing of Latino students by developing favours for White students. However, Latino students seek equality among all students by developing Latino student organizations that ensure the welfare of Latino students. In this regard, Latino students are developing a new identity in higher learning institutions upon which they will be treated equally as a White student. Academic institutions should facilitate the development of equality within the society through cultivating equality among their students and offering platforms to denounce identities that degrade Latino students.
References
Solis, J. (2019). Learning to be Latino: how colleges shape identity politics. Journal of Latinos education. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2019.1639510