Improving the lives of female adolescents
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Virtual Lab One
Am currently teaching a high school where a group of teachers obtained a large grant for a program on improving the lives of female adolescents. After reviewing the topics in Chapter 4, I suggest the following 5 important topics this program should address.
Self Esteem
I recommend this topic because in American schools there is much weight on self-esteem according to American culture. The program will promote the value the female adolescents place on their lives. That is especially important because according to two meta-analysis studies conducted on self-esteem for male adolescents and female adolescents, the results indicated that male adolescents have significantly higher self-esteem than their female counterparts. The results of the studies imply that it is paramount to have a program that promotes self-esteem for females since their lower self-esteem compared to their male counterparts largely depend on age, social class, and ethnicity, which are personal characteristics that a viable program can counter.
Cultural Identity
The grant fits well in this area because the topic directly touches on differences in culture and ideas across religious and ethnic boundaries as well as one’s country of origin. For instance, women of color tend to maintain their status quo regarding their culture and traditions compared to their male counterparts. The program would, therefore, help lessen the rigidity on traditional cultures for females for better integration with other male students from other cultures. Also, some researches have shown that women of color are more likely to be racial and regard themselves as less privileged than their white counterparts. However, this is only a belief as there are no facts to support the belief that white individuals have a privileged status. I believe the program will, therefore, help break such unnecessary cultural identities. The program may also help a few females of color who tend to reject their culture on the basis that it is less privileged.
Gender Issues in Higher Education
I recommend this topic because the program comes in handy for the female students who comprise the higher percentage of about 53 in their enrollment for higher education compared to their male counterparts in the United States. All the major ethnic groupings in the United States register this disparity. Besides, black females are more likely to enroll in colleges and universities than white females, which imply that the program will be a benefit for them. The program will also encourage more white females to enroll for higher studies just like the American women of color. Researches have shown that among the college professors in the United States universities, only a few are women scoring about 42 percent among the full-time faculty members. The program will help to create awareness and possibly raise this percentage.
Women of Color and Higher Education
This program may prepare and benefit the women of color in the sense that they are more likely to enroll in college compared to black men. On the other hand, the program may reverse the attitude that women of color fit less well in higher education even when they are smart. That attitude has for a long time put down many women of color because some people may interpret that a woman of color is dumb and less bright. Many women especially the women of color from immigrant backgrounds have received little or no finances for their college education. The program will, therefore, sponsor such disadvantaged women.
Career Aspirations
The program will benefit many female adolescents who just like their male counterparts aspire to enter prestigious careers. Additionally, more female adolescents than males consider their reasons for higher education as a preparation for their graduate schools. The program will also benefit many female adolescents especially those that are pursuing nontraditional careers for females such as becoming doctors. The grant will also help female adolescents in gaining more information about their career aspirations because currently many of them report being less informed about their future careers.