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.
I agree with you that there is not enough emphasis on mixed gender roles especially in careers. Last year we had a career day and there was a male nurse and a women police officer that got a lot of attention from the students. They didn't understand how this could be. I think if there was more printed literature on these topics, students could become more aware and comfortable with it. It was a good teaching moment for sure but just wish there wasn't such a stereotype when it came to careers in the world.
ReplyDeleteRachael I applaud you for being respectful but firm with your family on this. When contemplating the role of educators in creating tolerance for diversity and a greater awareness of gender roles our responsibility is clear: "Early childhood educators have a serious responsibility to find ways to prevent and counter the damage before it becomes too deep"(Pelo, 2008, p. 8). It can be hard to contradict the people you love, sometimes that is even harder than contradicting strangers as you grow and learn to stand up for your beliefs and what you perceive to be right and just and fair.
ReplyDeleteReferences
Pelo, A. (Ed.). (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools, Ltd.
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thank you for sharing. I, too, have experienced the frustrations you have mentioned with your brother in law and nephews. My cousins have children and their husbands have acted the same way. I have also tried to explain to them, with the help of my mom and Aunts, that it is not a bad thing. They are just experimenting and experiencing life through a curious child's eyes. It does not mean they will be "sissies" or "gay" in the future. It is common. But as you mentioned they do NOT want to hear such things and are insistent upon their views. This is a very biased view on gender roles that many, many males, and even some females, possess. I hope we can get through to them someday as well!
Ashley Richards
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you mention the "issue" of boys playing dressup in girl clothes. I run into this in the classroom. I teach PreK and some families (and my assistant teacher last year) do not like that I allow boys to play with any of the dressup materials. It's just as you say - they love to twirl and they love the colors and sparkles! If they are allowed to love the glitter in arts and crafts then why not in dressup?! Have you run into it all in the professional world, too, or just within your family?
Amanda
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the issue of people geared on the thought of what a mans job is and what a woman's job is. I know that I in my class last year so many children use to think that they couldn't play with things because they were the opposite sex's toy. I also have found that parents tend to complain when they see their child playing with things that are in their eyes for the opposite text.