Consider this scenario: Deana recently decided to start attending college, yet her family is criticizing her decision. They argue that she should focus on working so she can start earning money. When she begins school, they fear she will not have as much time to spend with family. Not to mention, her family worries that college will change Deana—that she will become too “mainstream.” As the first person in her family to pursue higher education, Deana thinks her family members have a prejudicial attitude towards higher education and that they should accept her decision.

What is your question?

If you were Deana, how would you address your family's criticisms of and attitudes about higher education? How would you dispel their fears, and try to convince family members that going to college is a worthwhile endeavor?

I had many students like "Deana" enrolled in my high school English classes over the years. For a first-generation American, this is a very difficult decision, both for her and for her family -- for her to make and for her family to accept.

What you need to do is go back into your course materials where this type of scenario is discussed and reread everything.

What is your assignment about this? Once you understand the entire situation and what "prejudicial attitude" means, and once you understand what your assignment is, you'll be better prepared to ask REAL questions and/or simply write up the assignment.

If you want someone to look over your thoughts after you write them, feel free to repost.