Effects of racial and ethnic stereotypes on school experience of racial minorities

Abstract

As schools in the United States are becoming more diverse, there is an increasing awareness of student’s mental health. Stereotypes and biases are big factors that influence school life for minority student groups. While some biases might seem harmless, they may increase the risk for students to experience anxiety, stress, or depression. With regard to school experience and mental health, much research focused on bullying, verbal violence, teacher expectations, and peer expectations towards racial and ethnic minorities. This review examines different aspects of interpersonal interactions for racial minorities to understand the effects of stereotypes in the learning environment. Teachers and student peers are found to hold stereotypical beliefs intentionally and unintentionally, which imposes outside stress on the students, potentially leading to mental health problems and shaping students’ lives. The negative effects of racial and ethnic stereotypes on minorities put forth a need for stronger awareness to prevent prejudiced judgments. Schools and teachers should pay close attention to their behaviors and how they affect minority students, as well as regulate verbal and physical victimizations regarding race and ethnicity.