Week 3: Gender, Gender Identity & Sexual
Orientation
Heterosexism and Homophobia are biases and
discrimination against same-sex couples, lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals
because of their sexual orientation. These two concepts are more commonly
practiced than I originally thought. Some individuals believe that early
childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian
individuals such as same-sex partnered families. In response, I would explain
that there are different types of families and they are represented in
classrooms around the world. All families should be respected, valued and
appreciated for their unique backgrounds. One strategy that anti-bias educators
can use to include diverse family structures in the classroom is to use photos
for games and discussions (Laureate Education, 2011).
I have heard a homophobic term used by one child
toward another child. Aaron and Zach were playing a wresting game with their
muscular male dolls. Aaron’s doll was defeated. Zach then became angry and
yelled “I don’t want to play with your macho doll anyways….You whine like a
little sissy punk every time you lose the game….sissies never win…they’re weak
and act like girls.” As an anti-bias educator, I would explain to Zach that he
is using the wrong word and that this word is very hurtful to people who are
lesbians, gay, and bisexual. “Anti-bias educators can enhance children’s
dramatic play by creating pictures depicting people of both genders engaged in
nonstereotypical activities”(Laureate Education, 2011). Zach should be taught
that both men and women wrestle and are equally competitive.
One insight that I have gained is that homophobia
are feelings that can come from just about anyone.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). (Executive Producer).
Learning from another's life story:Families
and children. {Webcast}. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Hi Tiffiney,
ReplyDeleteI have found that using pictures of men and women in different roles has opened up my students to taking on new identities when they are playing in the various centers of the classroom. It is eye opening to see how they respond to the identities.
Tiffiney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the story of Aaron and Zach. It was helpful for me to understand how children use those words. It is interesting to learn how to use these words because in Japanese we don’t usually mention genders in similar situations. We instead have words like weak-bug or crying-bug. I think teaching how to use words properly prevents children from developing biases because children learn to use discriminative words before they really get to know the meanings.
Hello Tiffiney
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. I also gained insights on how to deal with the issues of other children being direspectful and mean to other children through name calling. Children should be re-directed when they call a classmate a "sissy" or a "fag". Thank you for sharing your appropriate and effective strategy when dealing with this issue.
Tiffiney,
ReplyDeleteThe way the children talk today is something else. I bet neither one of those boys really knew what was being said. When I was growing up that language could get one into some serious trouble. This is how the kids are talking to each other now.
Sandra