Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

Some of the ways you noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children including books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers, and schools

Homosexual, bi-sexual and transgender rights has been a topic circulating within the media. Same sex marriages have been legalized but have still been met with a fair amount of opposition. This recent activity has caused some heterosexuals to fear that their children will be in an early childhood classroom with children who have same sex parents. A second fear is that teachers will begin to encourage young children from heterosexual homes to embrace the ideas of homosexual homes. I was reading the assignment and found that this assignment may be very difficult for me because I am a Christian and identify as a heterosexual. I stand by my Christian teachings. Although I am heterosexual, I don’t believe that it is appropriate to physically and/or verbally discriminate against another individual who has a different sexual orientation from myself. On the other hand, I don’t think that the views of homosexuals should be forced upon me and my family.

Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families

I think that the early childhood centers should be respectful of both heterosexual and homosexual parents when including books depicting gay or lesbian individuals. Heterosexual families, also, have the right to not expose their children to activities and literature that goes against what the family believes. I think that the classroom can do more individualized activities that support children that come from homosexual families. For example, ask all the children to draw a picture of their family, write a story about their family and/or make a family tree. The teacher can encourage the children based on their family’s sexual orientation without any judgement. This approach would also allow all of the children to share their own perspectives on family structure. Exposing heterosexual children to books depicting gay or lesbian individuals may cause problems and cause parents to remove children from the school. I think the early childhood educator should be aware of the families within their classroom and find a happy median that supports both heterosexual and homosexual families.   

How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child

I would correct the parent/family member and remind them that people shouldn’t be discriminated against due to sexual orientation. Instead, the parent can ask the teacher to stay professional and to not put their lifestyles views onto the children. As a former teacher, I didn’t share my personal opinions with my students and stuck with the curriculum. In my opinion, it is not the teacher’s job to put his/her views on students whether or not they are homosexual or heterosexual. An individual’s sexual orientation should not stop a person from being employed and/or making a living.

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? (Note: if you have not had a personal experience, ask a family member, friend, or colleague)

I used to work at a preschool in Philadelphia. One of the male students typically came to school wearing skinny jeans and wore pink shirts. The teacher used to say that she wouldn’t be surprised if this student was “sweet”. There was an incident in class where the student was sitting very close to a male classmate and she separated them because she thought that something inappropriate would occur between the two four year olds. I think this kind of behavior from the teacher negatively influences all of the children within the classroom. She indirectly caused the other child to think that something was wrong with the student that she labeled as “sweet”. At some point, the students began to treat this particular student differently.