Do kids feel bad when they are a minority at a school?

[Anonymous]

I will probably get flamed for this one. My son is white, but will be going to a school where he will be a minority. Hispanics make up most of the population and then asians. I am just wondering if kids feel left out when they are in the minority?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend whose child was the ONLY white kid in the entire kindergarten grade at his PG county school. Midway through first grade they got another white child in the first grade. So, now he is one of two.

The good side of it is that EVERYONE in the admin/staff knew this kid and his parents. Since it is only the early grades, it has not been an issue. I believe the principal, who is also white, told the parents that it isn't really an issue until the 5th or 6th grade ages. I don't know why, maybe kids group together more at that age and a white kid doesn't fit into the culture? I'm not sure.

At any rate, I think it doesn't matter too much in the early grades. It probably matters more for the parents as to whether they feel out of sync with the rest of the parents.

[Anonymous]

We were in the minority in school growing up and I don't remember feeling bad about it. Now one of my kids is in the minority in her school and I don't think she even realizes it.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PPs. I really appreciate it. It's good to know that your child does not notice she is a minority. I thought I would get flamed b/c my child is white, but a minority at school. But any race or nationality can be a minority. Of course I worry she will be at a disadvantage being a minority in terms of her social life and opportunities at the school.

[Anonymous]

Your child will learn a lot - typically, it's Asian/black/Latino kids who are the minority. I'm sure there will be awkward times, but your child will be ready for the America of the future.

[Anonymous]

Yes, at times the do feel bad.

My child is in a majority white school and is not white. It took until the middle of 1st grade when she herself, as well as other kids, began to notice skin color and comment on it. Not in a mean way at first but more factual. Eventually it did become mean at times.

[Anonymous]

I attended PG County schools my entire life and was in the minority, in high school. You may not believe this but, I never realized how much in the "minority" I was until I looked at my 20 year reunion class picture. I have my year book too and now looking at it with my DH I do realize there were a lot of blacks in my class/school. While attending school I never realized it, honestly! Although I considered myself a little socially awkward in high school I had friends, mostly black, but good friends some of which I still see today. I think this made me the person I am today. I also came to this country as an immigrant and had ESOL classes, so maybe that gives me a bit of different perspective than others have, I know what it's like to be different, although I'm white, but I can relate to having to be accepted.

Today, my kids attend FCPS; the elementary school they attend is considered "diverse" by many, the principal mentioned it on back to school night, which I thought was a bit strange. I never take notice of how many whites there are or blacks, hispanic, asians, etc. are in attendance at school functions, while some of my neighbors do take notice and comment on it. "Did you see how many Indian kids are in Johnny's class" ...... to me people are people it doesn't matter what their skin color is.

OP, I think your child will only notice if there's a "big" deal made of it. Of course someone is bound to say something about color and that's when he will probably realize it. I think it makes kids more accepting of society to be around different races/cultures, there's always an opportunity to learn something new about a person no matter what color their skin. I'll never forget when I was in the doctor's office years ago with one of my boys and a little black boy came up to one of my boys and say "why is he so white" I just laughed because it was funny and it's true my kids are very white. His mother was mortified!