Mixed race children in predominantly white schools?

[katymac]

As some (most?) of you know my DD has been struggling at school

Yesterday she was referred to the Special Needs Task force (a termly meeting) and the head was told that there is a condition/syndrome/occurance which involves mixed race children within White or predominantly white schools

Does anyone know what this is called?

Or have any info about it?

I dislike googling on such a vague description and if I had more knowledge I could do more

It seems to be typified (maybe?) by a vague unspecified unhappiness (??) and maybe poor body image/ low self confidence

I'm a bit at a loss

Never heard of it but would be interesting to hear more.

It seems a bit vague

I don't know what it's called, but I have a friend who might. Won't be able to call her until tomorrow now.

I'm intrigued!

Thanks Mars (Or are you MOL now?)

Katymac - yes, it does sound a bit vague as a 'syndrome', and I have never heard of it.

But - and I have posted on your threads about this before - it seesm highly likely that a mixed race child in a predominantly white school and area would feel a little isolated. The things you posted before do suggest to me that she would benefit from more role models to boost her confidence - especially as she doesn't have a female role model. DS is mixed race, and we are in anything other than a predominantly white area, but even at 4 DS talks a lot about which of his parents is white, which 'desai', etc.

Without finding out the name of this vague syndrome, would it be possible for your DD to spend any time with mixed race or black women - to add the female-ness of image that though fab your DH can't give her?

All the ones I know are in London (a good 2-3 hrs away) I can hardly approach any black/mixed race women I meet with the comment "I want you to meet my DD" - very funny really

We have been scrapbooking with positive role models etc - so I'll keep on with that

You can always come and spend a weekend here with us. I have 3 mixed race daughters and a rather black me! lol

Why don't you come to Norfolk for a week end.....lots to do here......

yeah - go mars!
Are you anywhere near the N Norfolk coast, katymac?

Now I'm always up for a weekend away. I could bring one or two of my DDs with me.

Maybe "syndrome" is to strong a word (although Head Teacher did use it) It's an "expected" or "anticipanted" or "possible" behaviour

Anyway it has made them take me seriously - but I like to do research

Mars - I have a sofa bed and can the kids go on the floor (they are all too old for cots aren't they?)

Not Nth Norfolk (by Yarmouth)

Sally - If I find anything out I'll CAT you

Mars I've put you off with the mention of Yarmouth - I'm not that close

Hi just posting as am interested in subject, hope you find your answers.

Don't worry Going4potty - I will probably get an answer thro' MN so you will find out

Hi Katymac, this must be a difficult time for you. I live in a more homegeneous area of London, and am currently in a dilemma about choosing a primary school for ds.

My thoughts are: although it's nice to have a black/mixed race family visit, wouldn't visting a local multicultural area also have added benefits?

haven't put me off at all katymac. Desperarte Housewives pulled me away.

The DDs that I would bring are 11 and 7 .

Oo the fun we could have

Crouchingtigress - she spent a day in a north london school last year

I wish there was a way that she could spend a week in london and go to school - but that doesn't seem to work

Mars & I are not planning on "solving" my DD's problems - we're just up for a jolly!

We spent a whole week in London last year (doing the sights) which was great and we also visited DH's family about 6 times

But you know how it is work & school & stuff get in the way

Yep, those trips sound good. Hope things work out.

does anyone know if there was an answer to this problem / syndrome behaviour re mixed race in predominantly white schools questsion?

Why is being a mixed race child in a predominately white school being problematized by the school officials? Is it another way of tracking children of colour into lower performing levels of the class? Is labeling mixed race children in predominately white school going to be helpful to the child and parent in dealing with this syndrome? The school should rather work on making the environment safe enough for difference. Diversity should be valued and fostered in the school as it prepares our children for the global society. I see this as a trend among educational professional to problematize children who do not do well with the very strict learning institutional environment they have created. I'm sure children of colour have faced problems due to their racial identity, but seeing them as the problem can not help.

I hope Katymac and her dd are doing better since this initial posting.