sexuality
Children's sexual identities have been a hot-button issue due to the alarming statistics of LGBT children who have been bullied comes to light. Despite a teacher's personal opinions of sexual identity, the classroom needs to maintain a no-tolerance stance against harassment. However, in order to get to the root of the problem, the curriculum needs to include LGBT figures to make students of non-dominant sexuality feel valid.
Unfortunately, many curricula fail to include important people of our history who were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. The GSA network asserts that, "In many schools, learning about LGBTQ issues – if it happens at all – takes the form of tolerance, diversity, or anti-bullying education, which teaches the importance of not discriminating against each other. Such programs are important first steps, but they are not enough. True acceptance means recognizing that different groups have all contributed in meaningful ways to society," (2009). In the below video, the idea of a mandated curriculum incorporating sexual orientation is presented and Zeenat Janmohamed of the Atkins Centre asserts that during civic lessons involving the civil rights movement, the LGBQT movement can be incorporated.
Unfortunately, many curricula fail to include important people of our history who were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. The GSA network asserts that, "In many schools, learning about LGBTQ issues – if it happens at all – takes the form of tolerance, diversity, or anti-bullying education, which teaches the importance of not discriminating against each other. Such programs are important first steps, but they are not enough. True acceptance means recognizing that different groups have all contributed in meaningful ways to society," (2009). In the below video, the idea of a mandated curriculum incorporating sexual orientation is presented and Zeenat Janmohamed of the Atkins Centre asserts that during civic lessons involving the civil rights movement, the LGBQT movement can be incorporated.
Aside from LGBQT students in the classroom, one of your children may have two mothers or two fathers in the home. It is important to reinforce the idea that all families are different. Some children have a mother or a father, some may have both, and some may be raised by their grandparents. As mentioned in the above video by Zeenat Janmohamed, when presenting reading material to students, one book to consider is And Tango Makes Three, a picture book about two male penguins raising a chick on their own, based on real life events. This will show students that every family is different, and they're all valid examples of families and should not be judged.
citations
GSA Alliance. (2010). Lgbtq-includive curriculum|gay-straight alliance network. Retrieved from http://www.gsanetwork.org/get-involved/change-your-school/campaigns/lgbtq-inclusive-curriculum
Janmohamed, Z. (Performer) (2009). Should sexual orientation be mandated in the curriculum? [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD0tnx1Mf8I
Janmohamed, Z. (Performer) (2009). Should sexual orientation be mandated in the curriculum? [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD0tnx1Mf8I