Diverse Families: Middle Eastern

1. Diverse Families: Middle Eastern Nicole Garza ECE 7513

2. Middle East • The Middle East is the land around the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from Morocco to the Arabian Peninsula and Iran and sometimes beyond. • An area where Africa, Europe, and Asia interconnect. • 5 primary groups: Lebanese, Arab/Arabic, Egyptian, Syrian, and Iranian.

3. Middle East

4. Middle Eastern Americans • Middle Eastern American are classified as White on the 2000 US Census. • Total population of Middle Eastern Americans is 936,656, 4% of the US population (Subject of debate since the US Census Bureau does not have a specific classification, they can classify themselves in various ways.)

5. Middle Eastern Immigrants • 10% of Middle Eastern immigrants are illegal. • Nearly 1 in 5Middle Eastern immigrants and their young children lived in poverty, compared to about 1in 10 natives. • 23% used at least one major welfare program, compared to only 15% of natives. • 10% of immigrants are self-employed compared to 11% of natives.

6. Middle East Immigrants Cont. • 19% of Middle Eastern immigrants own their own businesses. • Almost 49% of Middle Eastern immigrants have at least a bachelor's degree compared to only 28% of natives. • 21% have a graduate or professional degree, more than twice the percentage of natives. • About 73% of immigrant are Muslim. • One of the most educated immigrant groups.

7. Family Values • Middle Eastern Americans generally have: • Strong commitment to family • Strong sense of community • Close family ties • Strong loyalty • Profound respect for adults • Maintained family honor • Extended family structure

8. Work Ethic • Middle Eastern Americans work in all occupations. • They are more likely to be self- employed, entrepreneurs, or to work in sales. • About 60% of working Middle Eastern Americans are executives, professionals, office and sales staff.

9. Religion • It is very difficulty to define, due to the fact that Middle Eastern families are classified in various categories. However, people from Middle Eastern background are affiliated with: • Islam • Christianity • Judaism • Druze • Bahais

10. Views on Education • Middle Eastern immigrants are one of the most educated immigrant groups in America. • High educational achievement: 85% has a high school diploma or higher and more than 4 out of 10 Middle Eastern Americans have a bachelor's degree of higher. • Educational achievement is important to parents and students. • Parents urge high expectations.

11. Stereotypes

12. Stereotypes • Terrorists • Oppressed Women • All people from the Middle East are Muslim • Sandy Deserts with Camels • Can Not Adapt To Western Culture (American) • Always in political and religious turmoil • All people from the Middle East are Arab • Marriages are arranged

13. Effective Classroom Strategies • Culture Responsive Instruction • Cooperative Learning • Parental Involvement • Music/Dance/Songs • Welcome richness of cultural diversity

14. References • http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/381192/Middle-East • http://www.ameredia.com/resources/demographics/middle_eastern.html • http://www.cis.org/MiddleEasternImmigrantsProfile • http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=283 • http://www.misd.net/bilingual/resourcePDF/WhatIfThey.pdf

15. Video Click picture below.