Childhood segregation

2000
united states

Childhood segregation refers to the practice of separating children or segregating them based on various factors such as race, religion, socio-economic status, or abilities.

Historically, childhood segregation has been most commonly associated with racial segregation, particularly in the United States during the Jim Crow era. African American children were often forced to attend separate schools, use separate facilities, and face discriminatory practices that denied them equal educational opportunities.

Segregation also occurred in other countries, such as South Africa during apartheid, where children from different racial or ethnic groups were assigned to separate schools and educational resources were unequally distributed.

In addition to racial segregation, children have also been segregated based on other factors. For example, some religious schools segregate children based on their religious beliefs, while private schools may segregate based on socio-economic status. In some cases, children with special needs or disabilities have been segregated from mainstream education and placed in specialized schools or classrooms.

Childhood segregation can have negative effects on children's overall development and social interaction. It can lead to feelings of exclusion, inferiority, and self-esteem issues, as well as limit opportunities for exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences.

Efforts have been made to combat childhood segregation and promote integration in educational settings. Legal actions, such as the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in the US, have played a crucial role in desegregation efforts. Inclusion and diversity initiatives in schools aim to create inclusive environments that celebrate and respect differences among children.

While significant progress has been made in reducing childhood segregation, challenges and disparities persist in some regions. Ongoing efforts are necessary to promote inclusive education and ensure that all children have equal access to educational opportunities, regardless of their race, religion, socio-economic status, or abilities.

Further reading

Landrine H.; Klonoff E.A. (2000) "Racial segregation and cigarette smoking among blacks: Findings at the individual level", Journal of Health Psychology, 5(2), pp. 211-219. SAGE Publications Ltd. DOI: 10.1177/135910530000500211

Wang G.; Schwartz G.L.; Kershaw K.N.; McGowan C.; Kim M.H.; Hamad R. (2022) "The association of residential racial segregation with health among U.S. children: A nationwide longitudinal study", SSM - Population Health, 19(), pp. -. Elsevier Ltd. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101250

Schwartz G.L.; Wang G.; Kershaw K.N.; McGowan C.; Kim M.H.; Hamad R. (2022) "The long shadow of residential racial segregation: Associations between childhood residential segregation trajectories and young adult health among Black US Americans", Health and Place, 77(), pp. -. Elsevier Ltd. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102904

Ehrmann N. (2007) "From the ghetto to the ivory tower: Gendered effects of segregation on elite college completion", Social Science Quarterly, 88(5), pp. 1392-1414. . DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2007.00508.x

Massey D.S.; Fischer M.J. (2006) "The effect of childhood segregation on minority academic performance at selective colleges", Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(1), pp. 1-26. . DOI: 10.1080/01419870500351159