Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

EDUC 6357: week 3

• If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as “fag,” “gay,” “homo,” “sissy,” “tom boy,” or “lesbo” as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children? 

I personally experienced a girl calling me a “tom boy” when I was younger. I would play video-games, basketball, catch, fixing things etc with my brother, my dad, and other boys. However, because of the clothes I wore, not many dresses and baggy jeans, and the activities I was interested in I was considered a “tom-boy”. “These ideas about what is and isn’t “normal” for a particular gender are powerful” (Derman-Sparks,  & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p.92). I did not see anything wrong with the activities I participated in because I wanted to be around my father as much as I could. My mom would dress me in dresses to go to church on sundays, so it was like I got the best of both worlds.

• Any other related situations, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender, and sexual orientation

An interesting question was raised to me last year by a parent. After dropping her child off in the classroom she asked to speak to me. She started the conversation “I dont think you do but…” and it got me really nervous of what she would say next. She continued her sentence by explaining “I was with my friends yesterday having coffee, who have kids too, and we were just talking. One of them mentioned that her daughter is learning about homosexuality, LGBT. I believe she is in second grade. I was just wondering if that is something you teach in your class”. To be quite honest, I was a little thrown off by that question, so all i began to say was “no we do not, I’m sorry” and I began to think she would be upset. She then said “okay good because is something I personally want to talk to him about”. I explained to her that I tell children that not all families are the same and thats okay. I told her the farthest I would explain to four & five year olds are that there can be two moms, two dads, one grandmother, no sibling, etc. I also explained I rather parents speak to their children about it so there is no misunderstanding between each family.

 

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.