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RSS FeedSame race versus cross-race youth mentoring: Does it make a difference?
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| Yes | 52% | 68 votes | Total: 132 votes | |
| No | 48% | 64 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesWhy do people try so hard to say everyone is the same? That is a simplistic view of racial issues.
The truth is people are different. Races are different. Children are aware of races and the differences between them. To avoid the differences and pretend they do not exist would be foolish. We should embrace our differences and celebrate them. When we celebrate different races we show children that it's okay to be different; different does not equal bad.
I believe there is a difference in same race and cross-race youth mentoring. However, I do not believe that the difference is negative. There are positive affects for the children in both mentoring situations.
As an international literacy mentor to children, I speak about this from my experience. The organization that I work with is in another country than where I was raised. The race of the mentors that volunteer here vary greatly - different races from the local country and foreign countries.
Benefits of Cross-Race Mentoring
I mentor children who are struggling to read and learn English in school. They are all different races than me. Over our sessions together, we have developed a friendship and trusting rapport with one another. The children often ask me what my country is like and want to know about the culture in the city where I grew up. They also love to tell me about their culture which is foreign to me. When they have the opportunity to teach me a new word in their language or tell me about local foods, the confidence lift I see in them is amazing!
The experience of being mentored by someone from another race has been a positive one for the children with whom I work. They otherwise might not have had the opportunity to meet someone of my race and have such a close and trusting relationship with them. Through our mentor relationship they have learned about differences and how to respect them in people from other races.
Benefits of Same Race Mentoring
At the same time, there are other mentors in the school who are the same races as the students they mentor. Those relationships have had a positive affect on the children as well.
Unfortunately, many of the children come from low-income, single-parent homes and some even from children's homes. They have limited one-on-one interaction with positive adults role models. For children in these situations, it is an extremely positive experience to be mentored by an adult that is the same race as them. They learn that someone just like them, like their parents or older siblings, is willing to spend time caring about them and their wellbeing and education.
Both cross-race and same-race mentoring relationships have positive benefits that will not only teach children to tolerate differences in others, but also hopefully build a child's confidence and self-esteem for a lifetime.
Learn more about this author, Kristen Bevilacqua.
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No
There are many different types of mentoring programs. I'll speak from my experience and acknowledge there may be some programs where race is important. Our local mentoring program does not match mentors and children based on race and I'm very grateful for that.
I met Jeffrey in the fall of his 6th grade year. It was a first for both of us. My employer was sponsoring a mentoring program and I was eager to get involved. I hoped to be matched with a boy as that is what I'm most comfortable with having two at home. My wish was granted and I met a very nice young man who has been a joy to get to know over the school year.
Jeffrey's race is different from mine, but that doesn't have any impact on our relationship. We both enjoy sports, we talk about school and family, and play games together. We don't have in-depth conversations about saving the world, but I would never expect that from an eleven year old. I can't imagine how being the same race would make the mentoring experience any better than it is.
The bigger issue is the difference in our economic status. Jeffrey is growing up in low income housing. He doesn't get to travel very much and a big day out is visiting his cousin who lives on the other side of town. Going without the extras at home makes him appreciate the little things at school all that much more. He enjoys the field trips and the special programs that they offer.
During our orientation program, the principal of the school warned us to call before we came for our mentoring session because the children chosen for the program had a high number of school absences. They also told us that the kids could be rude, rough around the edges and difficult to get to know. Maybe I got lucky or maybe it's a success of the program, but Jeffrey has never been absent on one of our mentoring days. He is always polite and willing to participate in whatever activity I have planned for the day. He isn't extremely talkative but I think that's pretty normal for the age.
We have strict guidelines about bringing the children gifts as we don't want the other kids in the school to feel left out. In light of that, I try to find little things that I can do to brighten Jeffrey's day. The best way is to bring him lunch from a fast food restaurant. He is always so appreciative and I love seeing the smile on his face.
If I could change one thing about our mentoring program, it would be the amount of time that I get to see Jeffrey. I see him about once every six school days for a forty-five minute visit. Just enough time to eat lunch and play a quick game. It would be nice to have enough time to go outside and kick a ball around. I'll hope for those changes in the future.
Our program is about making a connection with the child. To listen and provide guidance as needed. To put a smile on the child's face and have a little bit of fun. Mostly to let him know that he's special and that someone cares about him. I feel I've been successful in meeting those goals. I'm thankful that our differences in race have not interfered with building a relationship. We all have a gift to share with one another, even if it's just a smile, and race should never play a part in deciding if you'll share that gift.
Learn more about this author, Max White.
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