Psychological Effects of Racial Portrayals in Schools

Racial portrayals occur when someone assigns characteristics to a person solely based on race. The psychological effect these portrayals can have on individuals cannot be understated, especially when present in school systems where children are simply trying to fit in, without the added pressure of overcoming a stereotype.

Creates Stress

• Children viewed in regard to their race have been found to suffer added stress. Racial portrayals force the individual to deal with a stigma that he may have played no role in creating. This stigma often has negative connotations associated with it. For example an individual may be perceived as a thug simply because he is African-American. The stigma itself causes the individual stress. Additionally, the child may begin to believe the racial portrayal of himself and thus start acting in the negative light in which he is portrayed.

Increased Criminal Activity

• Racial portrayals have been found to play a role in how the child begins to see himself. Therefore when a child is being associated with criminal activity simply because of his race, he begins to believe it himself. Because he is already portrayed as a criminal, he may begin to associate with individuals who are involved in criminal activity because he feels that these are the only people he fits in with.

Loss of Self-Esteem

• Most children want to fit in. Therefore when they are negatively portrayed by their peers simply due to their race, it can affect how they portray themselves as well. Racial portrayals tend to make individuals stick to cliques designated by race, simply because individuals are told that is whom they belong with. This can be particularly difficult in schools primarily dominated by one race. For example, an African-American child who is stereotyped due to his race at a primarily white school may feel lost and alone which will affect his self-esteem because it appears that no one is interested in befriending him.

Anti-Social Behavior

• Children have a need for acceptance. Racial portrayals often achieve just the opposite. The child being portrayed is judged based primarily on her race and is not given an opportunity to be unique. This can cause the child to become bitter, which can lead her to withdraw from others. She does not understand why she is being judged; she only sees the way she is regarded by others.