Teachers and pupils prejudice: a study in Italian primary schools

The role that educational contexts play in shaping children’s attitudes in society is still under consideration in research. Teachers are considered to play an important role in shaping children’s values, attitudes and behaviour. The intergenerational transmission of prejudice has been found in studies involving teenagers, but there is little evidence of the role of primary schools at a younger age. The purpose of this study is to investigate the transmission of prejudice in children between the ages of 8 and 10. The clear and subtle prejudices of teachers are measured and compared with those of their primary school pupils in the city of Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy. In the study, an ad hoc scale of blatant/subtle bias was created, adapting an existing adult scale developed. The results show models of egalitarian attitudes in both adults and children, especially in schools where they spend more time (full-time modules). The importance of educational programs to make a classroom a true learning community is also discussed.
Keywords: prejudice, intergenerational transmission, education, racism.