Chapter 5

Understanding Arab
American Children &
Adolescents
Created By: Briana
Hinkell, Shashini
Perera, Dustin Davis,
Maurice Davenport &
Katrina Davis
Overview
Arab American learners and their cultures are often ignored.

“The kids from the Middle East are the lost sheep in the school system. They
fall through the cracks in our categories” (Wingfield & Karaman, 1995, p. 8).

We agree wholeheartedly that Arab American children and adolescents are

still often forgotten or ignored in U.S. schools.
Origins
Arab people immigrate from twenty-two countries in the Middle East and
Northern Africa.

They possess a shared heritage, which typically includes Arabic as their native
language, and they identify with key features of Arab culture, including the
centrality of family and religion.

Arab Americans represent a wide range of diverse cultures, languages,

religions, and ethnic and racial backgrounds.

Also, not everyone who comes from the Arab countries is an Arab.People can
originate from Kildanis, Kurds, Druze, Berbers, and other ethnic groups.
Stereotyping of Arab American
The Arab community is one of the most heterogeneous in the United States, yet it is
likely also the most misunderstood. The negative images and stereotypes of Arabs are
the most prevalent.

The popular images of Arabs as rich sheiks, religious zealots, and terrorists are gross
stereotypes - which surround the roles of Arab American men and women.

Offenders also use negative images to cast Arabs.

Tarzan battles with an Arab chieftain who kidnaps Jane, Superman foils Arab
terrorists hijacking a U.S. nuclear carrier, and the Fantastic Four combat a
hideous oil sheik supervillain. Also computer games often feature cartoon
Arab villains, and children rack up high scores and win games by killing Arabs.
Stereotyping Continued
Because many Arabs are Muslims, their dress and traditions are sometimes
misunderstood.

People sometimes stereotype men with a galabiya, or body-length robe, and

women wearing a hijab, a scarf covering their head, as religious
fundamentalists.

As with robes, wearing a hijab is a personal choice. Many women wear a hijab
because of traditions - a religious practice rather than a cultural practice.

https://youtu.be/fb-u64vtF-M
Socioeconomic Status
The average household income for Arab Americans tends to be higher than the national
average, but there is a greater percentage of Arab American households below the
poverty level than for the U.S. population as a whole.

More recent immigrants with lower income and educational levels face the problems of
poverty, prejudice, neighborhood tensions, and cultural adjustment similar to those of
other non-European immigrants.
Family Structure
Arab Americans share several family traits, such as generosity, hospitality,
courage, and respect for the elderly.

Arab Americans invest in their children through education, which is seen as a

social asset and religious duty necessary for survival of both individuals and
groups.

Arab culture stresses the collective good of the family, unlike western culture,
which stresses independence and individual autonomy.

Children are taught to look within the family for solutions, rather than to develop
their own coping strategies, and seperating from the family is not encouraged.
Understanding Family
Structure as a Teacher
Educators should recognize that family life and harmony are crucial to Arabs,
and demonstrate respect for the sanctity of the family.

Inviting parents’ input in problem solving can be helpful.

Arabs are often sensitive to public criticism, so teachers should be careful how
they express concerns to Arab American students and parents.

Helping families cope with varying levels of acculturation, language

differences, and conformity to tradition can enable students to develop a
positive identity that is both personally satisfying and respectful of their
heritage.
Gender
Gender equality isn’t exactly focused in most Arab cultures. It stems from older
generations and treated as accustoms. The men usually are the sole provider and
women are usually housewives or students. But the main reason is traditional.

Gender development is deeply affected by the fact that boys and girls are disciplined
and raised differently. In most cultures that’s true but the Arab American culture
disciplines the boys more harshly. While the girls face stereotypes and different media
backlash in households they are treated more fairly.

As educators we need to educate and treat different religions equally. They do face
many acculturation issues as well as culture shaming, stereotypes, conformity and
many more but they deserve the same quality education as we do.
Religious Traditions-Arab
Americans
Arab Americans represent a wide range of diverse cultures,
languages,religions and ethnic & racial backgrounds.

Arabs belong to many religions including Islam,Christianity, Druze,Judaism

and others. Arabs are connected by culture but they have different faiths
hence it is important to distinguish between their culture and religion.

The two main religions practised are Christianity and Islam .Since the
Crusades,there have been strong divisions between Christian and Muslim
groups who view each other as a threat.
Religious Traditions-Cont.
Arab American Christians have entered the mainstream U.S.culture more
effectively than Arab Muslims who have strong adherence to Islamic faith and
Law.

90% of the population practises Islam in : Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar,
Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Libiya, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen. The
immigrants from those countries continue to practise Islam in the United
States.

However all Arab Americans are NOT Muslims and all Muslims are not Arabs.

In the United States, majority of the Arab Americans are Christians.

Religious Traditions-Cont.
Arabs are a minority of the Muslim community.

Essence of Islam is preached by the Prophet Mohammed through the Quran.

The Quran is the literal word of God and it provides guidance.

In addition to Quran, Hadith includes Prophets own traditional sayings with

explicit doctrinces, instructions and commands on issues such as marriage.
Religious Traditions-Terms &
Definitions
Allah- God

Hadith-Prophet's own traditional sayings

Hajj-Pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims annually

Islam-Is an Arabic word which means “Submission” and it is derived from word
meaning peace

Quran-Holy book of the Muslims

Ramadan- Month of fasting,self discipline and purification

Religious Traditions-Terms &
Definitions
Five Pillars of Islam:

1. Oral testimony that there is only one God and Mohammed is His prophet
2. Ritual prayer practised five times a day
3. Giving arms
4. Keeping strict fast of no liquid or food from sunrise to sunset in the
month of Ramadan
5. Holy pilgrimage to Mecca once in lifetime at a specific time of the year.

https://youtu.be/Mpyja9Hav5o
Identities
There is little that is known about the in depths of Arab Americans such as
their culture, school experiences and learning styles & due to negative media
images and perceptions of Arab Americans, these students are confronted
with by a biased curriculum and peer group.

Teachers as well as curriculum designers can add culturally relevant materials

about ethnic/cultural groups and schools can take action to provide accurate
textbooks and curricular materials and make sure Arabs are accurately
portrayed in curriculum and school activities.

It is important to place efforts on becoming educationally aware of Arab

cultural characteristics, worldviews and the academic challenges these
students may face. Educators must also work to unteach the stereotypes and
false images placed on Arab Americans.
School Practices & Cultural
Identities Cont.
Teachers, administrators, and counselors can all work together to help
promote healthy self concepts for Arab American students

Arab American students need to see positive images of their culture,

backgrounds, and traditions. Educators should understand students cultural
orientations and world views and use responsive teaching-learning strategies
that promote social justice.

Teachers can enhance pride in Arab American students by learning and

sharing of the Arab contributions in algebra, science, linguistics, astrology, art,
and architecture and an overall deeper knowledge into their culture.