Any approach that focuses on educational development contains many dimensions with numerous alternatives that a person can gain knowledge in terms of history, politics, social and economic aspects. Structures have different effects on the diverse environment, some of which are beneficial while others cause harms to the environment. Reyna Grande takes us through her life before and after illegally migrating from Mexico to United States in her book “The distance between us”. The teachings from this reading give a perfect relationship between structures and systems that affect diverse populations. Any education program provides knowledge in four basic dimensions; the function, the content, the structure, and the methods used. The approach used by Grande is very effective to a reader because she integrates all the four dimensions in a consistent manner.
The historic structure
After clear examination of knowledge and structures that influence diverse populations, it was realized that history plays a major contribution to the diverse environment. The book “The distance between us” gives us more information on the United States history from the time Grande illegally migrated to Mexico. The historical knowledge gained from this book provides the reader with the difference between USA and Mexico. It was realized that USA was civilized earlier than Mexico because Grande was forced to move to USA because of the harassments they underwent in Mexico. In addition, her father had crossed the border leaving behind his family to look for better living standards in USA. The event also demonstrates presence of racism clearly indicating that even in the past people were divided by races.
Political structure
Politics determine the position of a nation despite the economic and social backgrounds of the citizens. Grande writings highlighted more on the political stability of two countries and how their effected to the diverse environment. The knowledge gained from these events was associated with how movement between Mexico and USA border was restricted through political powers that separated citizens from the two countries. Reyna Grande became an important public voice for Mexican Americans, who were not allowed to move to U.S. due to their political stands.
Social structure
Understanding of the social structure of a certain society of community plays a vital role in determining how to conduct oneself while in a particular environment. Grande’s book has made many contributions in understanding the American culture in terms of their cultural traditions. The knowledge of culture represented through social norms and believes presented by Grande’s family assists in understanding about the way people lived with one another in the society. The knowledge gained by examining social structures and systems of the Americans and Mexicans contributes more to the co-curricular in education. In addition, the knowledge of material culture provides essential aspects of the story of trade and migration in America.
Economic structure
The economic structure presented by Grande shows some effect to the diverse population in the unique ways. People were divided according to their economic status. In addition, the economy of the two countries, U.S. and Mexico was diversified, with U.S. having a more stable economy. Populations used to migrate from Mexico to U.S.A. in search of better employment terms. As Grande narrates, her father passed through the American border in order to gather enough money to sustain his family. Moreover, the knowledge of economic structures had an impact to the diverse population in terms of the main economic activities carried out in Mexico and United States. Americans were industrialists, an aspect that made them become more industrialized leading to more immigrants from Mexico forcing their way into the country.
