I remember when the Ellen DeGeneres show first aired, I was immediately hooked. I started watching the show daily. I remember one particular time my cousin came home with me and it was time for the show to come on. I turned to the show and was all ready to watch and the look of disgust came over her face. She asked “are you about to watch that; I can’t stand to watch gay people I just can’t do it”. I was shocked that she felt that way but I continued to watch the show. While watching the show I felt uneasy because I knew she was not comfortable watching the show. It amazed me how opposite two people from the same family could be.
In one situation I had a class of all boys except one girl. Basically I had a room full of boys around the age of thirteen. Majority of these boys played sports and were on the football team at that time. The boys that did not play sports were looked upon as an outcast; they were portrayed as weak because they were not on the team. In the peak of an argument I would you “fag” “you are gay” “you act like a girl” “you are a sissy” and anything else that would mean a boy acted like a girl. I took offense to hearing those slurs and immediately addressed the issue. I wanted the boys to know their behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated. I did not want anyone to take offense, be ashamed or embarrassed. I feel you have to stop things instantaneously before anyone begins to feel it is appropriate to use such disgraceful language.
I agree, we have to address the derogatory statements and behaviors immediately. If we let them go on, children will feel that it is okay to treat others this way. According to Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) “People who carry deep injuries from experiencing prejudice and discrimination related to one or more of their social identities may be reluctant to think and talk about this subject out of fear of reopening old wounds” (p. 23). Anti-bias education can eliminate a lot of the children’s bias behaviors by provides an environment that promotes cultural identity and the acceptance of diversity.
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Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC
Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you addressed the issue immediately with the boys and stopped the behavior! I think we unfortunately live in a society where too many of us stand silent when we see or hear something so offensive. I think even teachers ignore alot of the talk as "kids being kids" or "it's just play". Kids need to be taught, redirected, and retaught what is acceptable. I think we too often assume they know whey they do not.
I think that gender issues are worse for boys that for girls. Being a "tomboy" is not perceived negatively, but being a boy who is not interested in sports, aggressive games, or physical activity, is. Boys are more commonly bullies than girls are, and, they are more commonly bullied. Childhood and adolescence is a difficlt for shy, quiet, calm, intellectual boys. There is alot of tolerance work needing to be done for boys.
ReplyDeleteI also feel that gender issues are more difficult for boys than girls. Boys who are not interested or who are not necessarily good at sports are generally considered "weak" or "sissy." Looking back I am able to realize how often that language occured amongst boys in my age group. I think it is great that you were aware of the issue and you addressed it. Often times, these issues go unoticed and boys continue to feel outcasted from their own peers. You are an great advocate for children.
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