Carefully read the case study below and then critically discuss and answer the questions that follow:
CASE STUDY
Emily is a 9-year-old girl who attends a suburban private school where each classroom is equipped with smartboards, tablets and an extensive library. Most of her classmates' parents are well-educated. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities like ballet, coding and foreign language clubs. Although Emily excels academically, she struggles with social anxiety. She finds the pressure to perform well and fit in with her peer group too much. Emily's peer group values material wealth and social status highly. Her parents are involved in her education and expect her to participate in multiple activities. That leaves little time for play or relaxation. The multi-cultural environment of the school exposes Emily to different perspectives and languages and fosters her appreciation of diversity. The cultural events at school allow her to explore various cultural practices, which broadens her worldview and enriches her social experience.
1.1 Why does Emily feel pressure to perform well at school? (2)
1.2 How does Emily's peers' focus on material wealth and social status affect her? (2)
1.3 What is social anxiety and how might it impact Emily's daily life at school? (2)
Answer (2)
1.1 Why does Emily feel pressure to perform well at school?
Emily feels pressure to perform well at school because of the high expectations set by both her parents and the school environment. Her parents are involved in her education and expect her to participate in multiple activities. Additionally, she attends a school where academic achievement is likely emphasized due to the presence of resources like smartboards and tablets, and this can create an atmosphere where students are expected to excel. This pressure from both home and school can contribute to Emily's anxiety about performing well.
1.2 How does Emily's peers' focus on material wealth and social status affect her?
Emily’s peers place a high value on material wealth and social status, which can make her feel the need to fit in by conforming to these values. This emphasis might cause her to feel inadequate or anxious if she can't or doesn't want to prioritize materialism and status in the same way. The pressure to meet these social expectations can exacerbate her social anxiety and affect her self-esteem, making it difficult for her to feel comfortable in her peer group.
1.3 What is social anxiety and how might it impact Emily's daily life at school?
Social anxiety is a condition where a person experiences significant fear or anxiety in social situations due to worry about being judged or evaluated negatively by others. In Emily's case, her social anxiety might manifest as a fear of speaking up in class, participating in group activities, or joining clubs. It may lead to physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or a racing heart when faced with social interactions at school. This anxiety can interfere with her ability to participate fully in school activities and maintain friendships, ultimately impacting her overall school experience and well-being.
Emily feels pressure to perform well due to high expectations from her parents and school environment. Her peers' emphasis on materialism increases her anxiety and affects her self-esteem. Social anxiety impacts her ability to engage in daily school activities and build friendships.
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