This week in class we are talking about gender roles and sexual orientation. Looking into all types of media I realized that there are not many things out there that help children understand that it is ok for a boy to be a nurse and it is ok for a girl to love and work on cars. There are a few things out there like books or movies that show two gay dads or lesbian parents. Media is getting better but I think there could be more things in the classroom that could help educators.
I know that some educators and families do not agree with having these materials included in the classroom. I disagree with that. No matter what their bias’ are there is still a need to educate children on these topics. “...it is still important to acknowledge the existence of families with gay and lesbian parents, so that children are prepared to be respectful when they do meet people who are lesbian or gay” (Laureate Education. INC. 2011).
When my nephews come over they like to play dress up with their sisters and cousins. SInce the girls are wearing dresses the boys want to wear them also. My brother in laws do not like this at all. They make comments on how their boys are going to grow up and be sissies or gay. They say the same thing when they play dolls with the girls also. My sisters go on to inform our brother in laws that there is nothing wrong with them wanting to wear dresses. They like them because they are sparkly and they can spin them. We also tell them that playing with dolls will help them when they become daddies or with a younger brother or sister. Well after a while my oldest nephew said he can’t play with dolls because boys don’t do that. I know this is because his father and I complete disagree with it. I have tried to educate him on what his teaching his son by saying these things. Hopefully I will get through to him one day.
More people are coming out as gay or lesbian or doing things that are not typically in their gender role. So there is a huge, “need to validate all the kinds of families children are coming from” (Laureate Education. INC. 2011). As educators we need to know what type of family our students are coming from and be educated on how we can help them and other children who don’t understand or have questions.
Resources:
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Start seeing diversity: Sexual orientation [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu on Sept. 19, 2014.
