Sexual Orientation
·
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 believe that
all early childhood centers should include books depicting gay or lesbian
individuals, including same-sex partnered families. According to the Laureate
Education (Producer) (n.d.) media segment, children should have their identity
and family identity positively represented regardless of a center’s own
beliefs. Simply because some people may have internalized beliefs and
stereotypes towards homosexuality, does not mean that those children and
families should be discriminated against, especially in an environment that
should support positive identity. In a world where we teach others to be
accepting and open, it would be hypocritical for a center to not support their
diverse families.
· 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 have
personally never used the words “gay”, “homo”, “fag”, or other terms to insult
another person, but I have heard it done. I have members of my family who are
gay, as well as many gay friends, and they have told me stories of the
discrimination and hateful language they’ve faced. One time I was out in New
York with some of my friends from school and we used to be in an A-Cappella
group together. We were singing as we were walking down the street, and a
couple of drunk men walked by and called my friends “fags.” I was so offended,
and wanted to go over and say something, but my friends said to ignore it
because it happens to them all the time. I cannot imagine walking down the
street and having someone say homophobic slurs to my face! This type of
encounter happens with race, sex, sexual orientation, and many more aspects of
identity that have transformed into isms based on the negative assumptions and
stereotypes.
Any other related situations, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender, and sexual orientation:
My biggest
concern with society’s view on sexual orientation is how sexualized it has
always been. People are homophobic for religious reasons but also because they
think that being “gay” is more sexual than being “straight,” whereas this is
not the case. Gay individuals are gay because it is internalized and biological.
No one can just “wake up gay” or “catch” it because it is something that
individuals are born with. Homosexuality is also not limited to humans, which I
think helps to eliminate the fact that it is done by choice. According to Melissa
Hogenboom from BBC (2015), there is scientific proof that certain animals have
homosexual tendencies and demonstrate
it during mating seasons. Homophobia has always struck a cord with me, because
it is hard for me to comprehend how people cannot accept another person for who
they are inclined to love, male or female. Therefore, I support all people and
children, and I teach children to love and accept people of all identities,
because everyone knows how good it feels to be loved and supported.
References
Hogenboom, M.
(2015). Are there any homosexual animals?
BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150206-are-there-any-homosexual-animals
Laureate
Education (Producer). (n.d.). Start
seeing diversity: Sexual orientation [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu
Thanks for sharing Tara. You mentioned some good points on Sexual Orientation. I think that it should staff should be aware of the different diversities within their settings and work towards understandings each others feelings and cultures.
ReplyDeleteHi Tara,
ReplyDeleteThe concerns you shared regarding children, gender and sexual orientation are all valid concerns. I, too, am perplexed as to how people are so misinformed about homosexuality. I think their lack of knowledge makes it easier for them to believe the fallacies about the lifestyle. In this week’s media segment (Laureate, n.d.) Tina Reynolds spoke about her male cousin who informed their family that he was homosexual and how her first thought was being worried about the safety of the children in the family. Somewhere throughout her childhood someone in her family associated homosexuality with pedophilia and that misconception carried over to her.
Laureate Education. (n.d.). Learning from another life's story [Video]. Retrieved
from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6357/CH/mm/audio_player/index_week3.html
Tara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your perspective on this topic. You bring up a great point that the classroom should support positive identity and it is not fair for a center or classroom to not support a family who may have same sex partners. Through my research I understand that many children's views are influenced by their families views, and therefore these children may not have an accurate representation of diverse families and individuals. I think it is very important that children are exposed to these topics in school to help prepare them for society but also to be a well rounded individual.
Thank you for sharing,
Brianna
Tara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts about inclusion in the classroom. I do not find it difficult to discuss these things with the children in the classroom but I have had experiences with parents who do not have the same perspective of inclusion and acceptance. One parent had a hard time allowing his child to play in "girly" dress up clothes and playing with "girl toys". The same parent also expressed negative views toward another child who trans-gendered and would tell his own child that he would not call the trans-gendered kid "him" or by his chosen name. For awhile, it was hard to tell this child that while at school, he was allowed to express himself freely and he would also respect the choice of others when he was being told the opposite at home by one parent. Through our support at school and with the support of the other parent, the conflict was resolved but I still worry about the messages this child receives from the one parent and what effects it is having on his development.
Tara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, I too have been in a situation where I was with my best friend and his husband when they were being bullied for being gay. And your exactly right the anger shoots from 0 to 10 in seconds. We were at their wedding at a winery vineyard in a small town in Texas, it was so beautiful but as we were walking in to make our way to the outdoors where the wedding was going on , you could hear people saying awful things to them, and laughing. I was so upset and did say something to some of them. I felt so bad for them, but they said not to worry about it , and they were used to people making comments. So sad that people could be so ugly .