"Start Seeing Diversity Video" Blog: Gender,
Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation
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.
Some parents have become more particular and homophobia in the world with the type of toys their children can play with, and also with the color and type of clothes their children should wear. In stores like ToyR'US and Wal-Mart's or any stores that sell toys they are arranged separately. For example girls toys such as dolls, play food, stuffed animals, baby carriages, and even by colors of pink, yellow, purple are all on one side, whereas it's the same arrangement for toys that boys play with. There are many types of trucks, boats, etc. My opinion is that this shows a lot of biases, children should be allowed to choose what ever type of toys they prefer to play with. In viewing the video blog on gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, it portrayed just how important the set up of toys in a early childhood center should be arranged. I worked in a four year old preschool environment, the arrangement of the toys was a variety for each gender. If the girls in the class wanted to play in block center with the trucks they could, and if the boys preferred to play in housekeeping they could. They could also dress up as they liked, it was okay they did not receive any type of stereotype criticism from either teacher or their peers.
The culture of early childhood centers is to provide children with choices that provide both boys and girls opportunities to feel free to engage in play with one another without there being any one feelings being hurt. It is also important for children to feel free to play with one another during outside time on the play ground. Girls should be allowed to interact with boys, and boys should be allowed to interact and engage in play with girls.
How would you respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived ( self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child.
This situation would be a challenge for me. You would have to be careful of how the words you chose to say not be offensive or cause for a long drawn out conflict. I would start by asking them to really explain their reasoning. After listening, I would suggest that they visit the class and spend some time observing. After this, if there is no solution or no compromising, I would try to find a more suitable class environment. I believe that there is always a solution to every problem. In the EDUC: 6165 class I gained insight as far as conflict is concerned it is going to happen, but unresolved conflict will cause the problem to get worse and damage a relationship.
Reference
"Start seeing diversity video blog: Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual orientation. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu/webapps/blackboard
/content/listContent.jsp?course_id_406758
