Reflection on "Helping" by Jim Cooper

           Earlier in my blog I wrote about Jim Cooper's book Down on the Island and I will be discussing it again. The selection I wish to discuss this time comes from chapter 8 of his book which is  named "Helping". In this chapter, like in the previous one, the author narrates his experience as a teacher at the University of Puerto Rico, at Mayaguez campus. It takes place during the 1950's, when Puerto Rico was still building and developing their program of education. He points out and discusses the problems he has been having with students, specifically those related to cheating.

            When Cooper was a professor at UPRM, he had problems with his students copying of one another. Even though cheating is common practice he felt that the problem was specifically greater among Puerto Rican students.

"Cheating goes on in all schools ... but I hadn't

seen it done as openly and outrageously as

 it was in Puerto Rico." – Jim Cooper

            When he questioned his students  about copying he would usually think it was no big deal and proceed to explain that their intention was just helping his fellow student. This lead him to think that the root of the problem " was about what was considered cheating and what was just "helping"." It seemed as if students lacked the competitive factor which characterized American students. The lack of competitiveness between the student can be translated into abundance of cooperativeness. 

            Upon further inspection it was evident that the cooperativeness exhibited by Puerto Rican students was the result of cultural factors. Cooper clearly states that "Puerto Ricans are de most hospitable people in the world." Hospitability is the primary suspect according to the author, because we are hospitable we treat others as friends, helping another student succeed  is looked upon as a friendly gesture since the opposite will result in letting him fail. Puerto Ricans frown upon looking at fellow students as rivals since it is perceived as selfish if one wishes another student to score lower than you, students are instead thought to be cooperative and not competitive by family and even teachers sometime. In comparison American culture promotes being competitive and students will usually cover their papers from others.

            I agree completely whit Mr. Cooper's opinion, since I am a clear example of this type of student. When faced with this situation it just seem natural tome to help a partner out, even though it is obviously not right. If you are Puerto Rican you have probably heard more than once about how we are supposed to treat others as if they where family. At an unconscious level this attitude becomes part of our normative in social relations. Like Cooper said, "Everything is on a first person basis in Puerto Rico", this makes it hard for us to alternate from being intentionally competitive  and just hospitable.