This author argues the issues with the act of introducing the LGBT community to Primary schools as "taboo". The paper consisted of an analysis of what happens in the classroom when different characters and ideas are introduced through children's books or the personal experiences of their teachers. It suggested that in classrooms we have an undertone of assumption with a heterosexual world. It also speaks of the boundaries of "safe zones" in public schools. It is mentioned that homosexual or heterosexual teachers feel more comfortable expressing themselves and their personal lifestyles in the faculty lounge where student and parent's ears are not present. Once these individuals exit the area their speech becomes more hushed on the controversial matters. It addresses the fear that by introducing something not every parent is comfortable with the repercussions will be back-lashed responses. For example, a father in this reading said something along the lines of "I'm afraid my son will become a fairy". It is also mentioned in this reading Section 283 which is related to the Local Gov't Act of 1988 This amendment stated that an authority figure "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with
the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in
any maintained schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship". Needless to say this amendment was repealed in 2000 but the fact that it ever existed in the first place proves that a standard set by society can set decades of prejudices in motion. A classroom experiment was preformed with a teacher named Kate who asked the class to perform a task where they addressed the derogatory terms for people of different race and sexual orientation with terms that would make those people prideful of their differences. One boy in her class called it "minging" which is a British slang for "something unsavory or distasteful". Many students responded with relating stories of knowing and accepting family members who were gay. This exercise proved successful by not only addressing the different sexual orientations as an obvious norm but promoting acceptance of it. The following link shows a real life issue of integrating the LGBT community into a school system in Chicago in 2009 with the proposal of a gay-friendly school and the model being pulled to be redesigned to be an even better model in which a zero tolerance mindset would be implemented. Here is the link!
Friday, October 10, 2014
Alan et al- Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places: addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the primary school.
This author argues the issues with the act of introducing the LGBT community to Primary schools as "taboo". The paper consisted of an analysis of what happens in the classroom when different characters and ideas are introduced through children's books or the personal experiences of their teachers. It suggested that in classrooms we have an undertone of assumption with a heterosexual world. It also speaks of the boundaries of "safe zones" in public schools. It is mentioned that homosexual or heterosexual teachers feel more comfortable expressing themselves and their personal lifestyles in the faculty lounge where student and parent's ears are not present. Once these individuals exit the area their speech becomes more hushed on the controversial matters. It addresses the fear that by introducing something not every parent is comfortable with the repercussions will be back-lashed responses. For example, a father in this reading said something along the lines of "I'm afraid my son will become a fairy". It is also mentioned in this reading Section 283 which is related to the Local Gov't Act of 1988 This amendment stated that an authority figure "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with
the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in
any maintained schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship". Needless to say this amendment was repealed in 2000 but the fact that it ever existed in the first place proves that a standard set by society can set decades of prejudices in motion. A classroom experiment was preformed with a teacher named Kate who asked the class to perform a task where they addressed the derogatory terms for people of different race and sexual orientation with terms that would make those people prideful of their differences. One boy in her class called it "minging" which is a British slang for "something unsavory or distasteful". Many students responded with relating stories of knowing and accepting family members who were gay. This exercise proved successful by not only addressing the different sexual orientations as an obvious norm but promoting acceptance of it. The following link shows a real life issue of integrating the LGBT community into a school system in Chicago in 2009 with the proposal of a gay-friendly school and the model being pulled to be redesigned to be an even better model in which a zero tolerance mindset would be implemented. Here is the link!
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how young would you say we should start educating children on LGBT
ReplyDeleteI think Primary Schools educationally speaking but I think that parents should start taking initiative introducing the world not specific to themselves and their children so they grow up more open minded.
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