* Some of the ways I noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children including books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers and schools.
As a preschool teacher, I have noticed homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children because of their parents. I had a parent that did not like his boy playing with dolls in the housekeeping area. If the father would walk-in and sees that his boy is playing with a baby doll in housekeeping, he would tell him that boys don't play with dolls. They play with trucks! The father even asked me to keep him from playing with the dolls in housekeeping. I told him that children learn from play and if I keep him from playing with dolls, I am keeping him from learning. Not only that I will be keeping him from playing with something that he wants to play with in the classroom. I continued to say, when boys play with dolls, that is not making him to be a homosexual. The same goes for movies, books, and etc. It depends on what the parents are feeding in their children's minds.
* My 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.
Early childhood centers have books that depicts death, multicultural, feels, etc. I don't see why it would be wrong to including books depicting gay or lesbian. But it should be age-appropriate and send a message to the children just like the other books. Also, if the are learning it from early childhood centers at least it will be in a positive way.
* How I would respond to a parent/family member who informed me they did not want anyone who is perceived homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, or interacting with their child?
I believe this is an excellent question to ask an educator. I would tell the parents that it don't matter what sexual orientation a teacher have, as long as he or she is giving your child the best education possible, so that he or she can be successful in the future is what matters. We are here for the education of your child.
* If I 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?
I have heard all of these terms as an child and adult. When my sisters use to get mad at me, they would call me a "fag." I use to hate so much that I would want to fight. When I got older and was called a "fag", I would just ignore it and kept on moving. I realized when I got older that it is just a word that people would say to get me mad. When I was a child, I have heard people calling girls "tom boys" if the were better at doing things that boys usually were known for doing. Like sports!
Chris,
ReplyDeleteYou mention a very common theme, in that parents do not want their child exposed to gender roles outside what they are expecting based on their own beliefs. Where this roles issue gets complicated is when the family's cultural beliefs hold fast to gender roles. Certain faith traditions state, for instance, that women cannot be leaders, and should not be in charge. We are expected to navigate both the classroom expectations that are gender neutral while still respecting her religious views as well. Thanks for giving something to think about.
Chris ,
ReplyDeletehomophobia is definitely something children learn from their parents and threw what their exposed to. In movies the girls are weak and boys are strong and they revolve around a love story between man and women.Toys are marketed by using blue for boys and pink for girls. i have child in my classroom a young boy who likes to play with baby dolls in the classroom but one day when he was playing his dad saw and said he doesnt want he playing with dolls anymore because hes a boy the child was very upset.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the parents not wanting anyone was perceived to be homosexual or transgender caring for their children, I agree with the answer that you would give. I believe that teachers will be great teachers regardless of their sexual orientation and even though we may not agree with their lifestyle I believe that they are there to serve the best interest of the children. I think parents fear that somehow the teachers will influence their children and if they are exposed or if they around transgenders or homosexual they will try to adapt to that lifestyle.
I have also had the experience of having a father walk in and observe his boy playing with a doll. I could tell he was very disturbed by this. To be honest I do believe that. there are some things that are just masculine and somethings that are feminine and my personal belief is that it should remain that way. As an educator however, I know that I must be open to diversity and allow things to fall into place.Sometimes we make gender-role statements. I had a little boy to come to class one day wearing Hello Kitty pull ups. The teacher in the classroom made light of it because we mostly thought that it was funny that he should be wearing girls pull ups. Then remembered that he was coming from a household with same-sex female parents.
Great blog.
Angela.