Indian Fathers Plea, Essay Example

The boy was characterised as being a ‘slow learner’ in comparison to his peers in the classroom setting.  That is to say he is not achieving the same rate of progress as the predominately white children in the class.  It is acknowledged that there are cultural differences and this reflected in the way the white children have been exposed to technology and the use of computers at an early age.  This has widened their horizons and provided them with a bit of a head-start.  I do believe it is important that we as an Educational Institution recognize the importance of cultural relativism and that the opportunities of different cultures and beliefs and allow these to be both retained and permeated into our society. It is in this way we benefit from cultural diversity, enrichment of our society and more importantly retain our heritage.

It is agreed that we should not consider the boy as part of a subculture merely because he has been raised differently and has a set of cultural beliefs and behaviours that may differ from the rest of the group.  In fact we should learn to benefit from this rich heritage and diversity.  History has dictated a degree of cultural imperialism where the white population has infused its’ culture on the Indian Nations.  As such there has been some intolerance in accepting formal integration at equivalent standards to the White Children.  It is here that we agree the child is not culturally disadvantaged just culturally different.  In this regard we need to move away from the conventional and what others regard as the norms.  You are right in the sense that the child needs the opportunity and patience to develop his learning and skills with a culturally different peer group.

It is also important to recognize that the child may have to come to terms with a degree of culture shock whereby for the first time he is being confronted with a culture that is radically different from the way he has been raised.  It does not mean that either culture is better than the other but just different.  The child is coming to terms with the concept that his early beliefs and assumptions on life can be challenged and must not be taken for granted. In this sense the learning process will be stimulated and the child advantaged because of having wider perspectives on life and the ability to see comparisons.

In conclusion I would like to thank you for raising the important clarification points on your son.  We will do our best to make the transition of your son a smooth one and allow him to progress at his own pace whilst recognising the importance of his cultural heritage and enable him to take his place in modern society.