Ethnocentrism in Education

Overview

Ethnocentrism is defined as the belief that one's own group is superior, and that belief is used to judge other groups as inferior. It is often outside the level of conscious awareness of well-intentioned educators who unwittingly impose these beliefs upon various groups in society. Another defining feature of ethnocentrism is the unequal power dynamic that exists between groups. This power differential allows majority group members to define the educational reality of other citizens. Although we mostly identify marginalized groups with respect to racial and ethnic differences, it can also pertain to other aspects of one's identity, such as gender, sexual orientation, class, and age.

In the U.S. context, ethnocentrism is adherence to the notion that White cultural values are superior and should be the norm used to judge other groups. This pervasive way of thinking views racial and ethnic minorities as substandard and uncultured, resulting in denigration of their practices, beliefs, and values. Rather than respecting the cultural traditions unique to each group, culturally diverse individuals are expected to assimilate by adopting the values of the dominant group. Ethnocentrism not only occurs on an individual level but is also embedded in the policies and practices in educational institutions, business organizations, and health care providers.

An important area to examine is the presence of ethnocentrism in education, more specifically in the teaching of history. It is not uncommon for students to learn about the experiences of the European descendents and their efforts to colonize and to claim America as their new home. However, a focus on learning about Native Americans is often overlooked or excluded. Rather, indigenous people are often portrayed as being uncivilized and needed to be “saved” from their primitive ways of life. The underlying assumption behind this representation is that the European culture was superior to that of Native Americans, who needed to abandon their traditional practices and adapt a better lifestyle as defined by European standards.

These teachings can be misleading and prevent an honest examination of the history of inequality, discrimination, prejudice, and suffering experienced by marginalized groups. By limiting the scope and depth of the curriculum and the materials presented to students, ethnocentric perspectives in education reinforce stereotypes and preconceived notions that do not accurately depict the diverse groups represented in society.