While reading the assigned selections in preparation for class this week, I began thinking about how diversity in literature effects children. However, I also started to wonder if children have/what is a child's perception of the diversity they encounter in literature. Since we are talking about issues of diversity this week in class, I wanted to see if I could find any research that has been done to look at the way children perceive diversity in the books they encounter.
Media is very powerful in children's lives. When we are children, and even as adults, we look to the media for role models to admire. These role models often depict our values, our families, and our race. Diversity in literature has an effect on children's views and opinions about themselves, their own values, and their race.
The According to the article A Different World: Children's Perceptions of Race and Class in Media, Children Now commissioned a groundbreaking series of focus groups and a national poll of 1,200 children. They chose to survey "the same number of children (300) of four races - African-American, Asian, Latino, and White - to explore the views of each race in equal depth." The findings showed that "over 80% of children from every race say that media has the power to show kids that people of their race are important." Based on this research, it seems that children do perceive diversity in media and they believe that it is important.
Alyssa I would have to say this was a very interesting post. It made me ponder for a moment to think about how i feel about diversity in literature as well as the media. I do believe that it is highly important for the media and literature to show diversity because this is were most people look for their role models. I also believe that since the media or our literature are where we look for positive role models that the media and literature should make sure they depict an acceptable example for our children to follow. I know sometimes bad role models are depicted everywhere but i do believe that there are positive role models around and we should be thankful for that. I believe this is something that is really interesting and should be seen and payed attention to by everyone.
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