International Journal of Behavioral Development
Volume 34, Issue 6, 2010, Pages 521-528

Children of Somali refugees in Australian schools: Self-descriptions of school-related skills and needs (Article)

Dodds A.E. , Lawrence J.A. , Karantzas K. , Brooker A. , Ying Han Lin , Champness V. , Albert N.
  • a Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
  • b Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
  • c Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
  • d Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
  • e Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
  • f Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
  • g Medical Education Unit, Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia

Abstract

We examined self-descriptions of children of Somali refugee families in Australian primary schools, focusing on how children's school-related skills and needs relate to the interpretive frames of mainstream and ethnic cultures. Three groups of Grade 5 and 6 children (Somali, Disadvantaged, Advantaged) made choices among school-related skills, and rated feelings and needs for the transition to high school. Findings indicate a general goodness of fit between emphases of the mainstream culture and Somali children's choices (sport, maths), while reflecting some values of their ethnic interpretive frames (rejecting art, music). Gender stereotypic differences did not interact with culture. Children's computer-based choices provide a basis for bringing together studies of development and acculturation, and for differentiating between refugee status and socio-economic disadvantage. © The Author(s) 2010.

Author Keywords

interpretive cultural frames computer-based research methods acculturation development self-described skills Somali refugees transition to high school school needs

Index Keywords

primary school cultural anthropology refugee Australia high school music human sex difference controlled study stereotypy school child Adolescent male female socioeconomics art cultural factor Article adult Somalia ethnicity skill computer aided design Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78650221991&doi=10.1177%2f0165025410365801&partnerID=40&md5=de9fa46c9f93ab48e8b0f0ad7a6f7572
DOI: 10.1177/0165025410365801
ISSN: 01650254
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English