Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id f9EIQT012656; Sun, 14 Oct 2001 14:26:29 -0400 (EDT) Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 14:26:29 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <sbc99fb4.005@langate.gsu.edu> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Daphne Greenberg" <alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:1757] sexual harassment X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 5.5.5.1 Status: O Content-Length: 4092 Lines: 81 Yvette, At the end of your posting you write: Due to societal and/or cultural norms, often the students were not aware that such behavior was/is 'sexual harassment'. I think that you raise an important issue. Often our learners may have different definitions/cultural norms of what is harassment. How do we approach this? Daphne >>> yvettetdunn@neo.tamu.edu 10/09/01 11:54 AM >>> Daphne, I apologize for the delay in responding but as a PH D candidate who is at the proposal writing stage, I have been pretty busy. Also, this is one of the many emotional issues I have and former colleagues referred to it as ONE of my soapboxes about students in need. I taught high school social studies (sociology, government, U.S. History) for nine years in the Houston area. Most of my students were Hispanic. I found the statistics that you shared to not be a surprise - unfortunately and regretfully. When I first began teaching there (fall of '91), I often found my Latina young ladies to be passive, quiet, and reserved. As the years changed as well as society - local, national, international -, more of them found a voice and were beginning to outnumber the young men in advanced placement courses in mathematics and science. (They had always been the majority in the English and social studies advanced placement courses.) Yet, many of them who became teenaged mothers did leave school because that is what their families expected of them. Many who were enrolled in the advanced placement courses never enrolled in a community college or university upon graduating. Some opted for technical programs but most stayed with the jobs that they held as high school students or sought a job. As a response to the issue of their having low attendance rates and/or leaving school t care for younger siblings, that was also an issue for my young ladies as well. Often, these students wanted to participate in extra-curricular activities, but familial responsibilities and expectations did not allow them to do so. As I reflect upon those nine years, I will say that I saw more young ladies - even those who were mothers - graduate high school, go on to a technical program or community college/university. However, I would have liked to see many more. On the topic of sexual harassment, yes, some of them were the victims. Most of them remained silent about it. As a female aware of what is sexual harassment, I would often hear male students and see male students sexually harass these young ladies and a few of the adult females as well. It was always something that I immediately addressed with the administration and those involved. Due to societal and/or cultural norms, often the students were not aware that such behavior was/is 'sexual harassment'. Before I write an extremely long reply, I shall close. Thanks for bringing this to light. Anyone else? Sincerely, Yvette T. Dunn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Daphne Greenberg" <alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2001 4:39 PM Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:1622] New statistics out regarding Latina Girls > I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the following article I found on page 2 in the Fall, 2001 National NOW Times: Latina Girls' High School Drop-Out Rate Highest in US. > According to the article, a major factor Latinas leave before graduation is pregnancy. Other reasons include marriage, attitudes of teachers, peer pressure, and a lack of role models. > The article goes on to say that Latina girls are often viewed by educators as submissive underachievers. In addition, there are inadequate vocational programs for Latinas, and they suffer sexual harassment in the schools in greater numbers than other irls. > The article continues by stating that the future of Latina girls who drop out is bleak. Many enter the workforce at below-minimum wage jobs, enter into marriages that often result in domestic abuse, and/or stay at home to care for younger siblings while their mothers work outside of the home. > Daphne
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