Week 3 - Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

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?  This subject is very new to me I have never encountered a same-sex family and have some reservations about how I would interact with such a family.  I would say since such families do exist children should be made aware of them as a family type.  I do believe that all families should be respected and valued in an early childhood setting.  If children feel their family is excluded this interferes with their success in a program.  I feel that same-sex families should be displayed through books and pictures so that young children accept them as a reality of society.

 Any other related situation, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender and sexual orientation?

As an Early Head Start teacher I try to minimize any type of inequity in my classroom.  I encourage children to experience different roles in their dramatic play such as boy caring for a doll or a girl building with blocks.  I realize how important it is that children feel equal and not stigmatized by stereotypes.  But I do feel some discomfort with presenting same-sex relationships to young children.  As I stated above I do feel as though children should be aware of same-sex families, but I wonder if I am condoning this type of life style for children to adopt in their own lives.  I am Christian and homosexuality has always been a life style that was not condoned for me.  I accept homosexuals in the workplace, but am uncomfortable with the lifestyle.  I guess this is an area of bias for me and need to consider working on to better be able to service children in an equitable way.

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?

In the early childhood environment we exhibit pictures of families that are traditional, mother, father and children.  My classroom is guilty of this.  Pictures of men and women in traditional roles such as men as policemen and women as nurses are displayed in classrooms.  Books and movies almost always depict men as heroes or super-heroes and woman as victims.  The only show I can think of that depicted a woman as a super-hero was a show from the 80’s, Wonder woman.  Children are still given a doll for girls and a car or truck for a boy by family members.  In department stores toys are displayed in separate sections for boy’s toys and a separate section for girl’s toys.

Reference:

 "Start Seeing Diversity: Gender" (Approximate length: 6 minutes)

"Start Seeing Diversity: Sexual Orientation" (Approximate length: 6 minutes)