Mirrors+ windows

What affinity group spaces bring to a school community

What makes you who you are? What actually shapes your identity?

Decades of research and years of anecdotal experience tell us that there are a number of aspects of our lives that define our individual sense of identity As we focus on the early years of development, we know that children form an understanding of the world around them beginning in infancy. By recognizing differences in spoken language, physical attributes in others such as skin color or hair texture, and nuances in facial expressions and body language, meaningful impressions are formed that impact a child’s sense of belonging, safety, and connectedness as they move through the world.

*Affinity Group:

Dedicated spaces where individuals who share a common identity or experience can come together in support of one another. These spaces can be physical, such as meeting rooms or designated areas within a building, or they can be virtual, such as online forums or chat groups. Some examples of affinity groups include those for women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities.

When forming a sense of identity, it’s important to be affirmed by others around you in a shared experience in order to form a positive selfimage. Sharing specific parts of the human experience with others is the very thing that serves to connect us with others outside of our own family, especially as a young child A simple “Me too!” can go a long way when building connections with someone new in most any circumstance. This act of affirmation or actively affirming is the premise for the forming of *affinity groups. Positive affirmations are the building blocks for confidence; a critical element of success in school, work, and life

A myriad of “differences” present for each one of us Differences are not limited to racial and ethnic characteristics that we tend to think of most often. Living in a multi-generational household with extended family members, living in a home where another language aside from English is spoken primarily, a home with one parent or two homes with separated parents, families created through adoption, neurodivergence, or being a multiple such a twin or triplet, etc., are among the many considerations that students navigate daily.

Mirrors allow children the opportunity to reflect themselves and windows allow us the opportunity to see beyond ourselves and perhaps see others more clearly. There is a need for both in this world and now, more than ever, we need them simultaneously.”

Schools, like many other institutions, have begun to understand the importance of providing people with opportunities to connect and share with one another outside of the context of work or academics exclusively. Many schools support and encourage the formation of formal affinity groups to support students, faculty, and families These groups allow students who share an identifier to gather together and share their experiences, both positive and negative, related to their shared identifier. Often, with the support of a faculty member who also shares that identifier, school affinity groups provide opportunities to organize and transfer that discussion into further action, if needed, to make for a more equitable experience at school for all

As more and more schools (both public and independent) now explicitly name the goal of promoting inclusivity and diversity for all community members, affinity group spaces are a natural extension of that commitment. Affinity group spaces are becoming increasingly recognized as important in promoting diversity and inclusivity not only in schools but across a range of organizations in the community as well These spaces provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals who share a common identity or experience to connect with others and receive support. By fostering a sense of community and promoting awareness, affinity group spaces can help to reduce feelings of isolation and promote inclusivity and equality Ultimately, these spaces can lead to increased engagement, productivity, academic success, and overall well-being, not just for individual students but the entire school community.