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Children and Diversity

 

How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child

If a family member or parent informed me that they did not want anyone who is homosexual or transgender to care for, teach, or interact with their child, I would mention a few things to them. I would tell them that judging a person based on their sexual preference is wrong. I would also tell them that no one should be discriminated against and not given a fair chance at teaching/working with children just because they are “different” or not what someone thinks a teacher should be or look like. I believe that if a person (no matter how “different” they might appear to others) has what it takes to effectively teach children, they should be able to do so and not be judged. In the end, if they still do not want their child to be taught by a homosexual or transgender person, I would tell them to either be more open-minded and embrace diversity or find a different center or homeschool their child. Children are exposed to many “different” things, and I believe that it is up to the parent to teach the child how to respect diversity. Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) discussed how children are influenced by the attitudes of others about gender behavior. If children hear these negative things towards others by their parents, they will start to believe in it and may carry it into their adulthood.

If you 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? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children?

I have heard each of these terms used by adults and children. I am guilty of using some of these terms in the past. For this question, I will explain an incident between some children on the playground at the childcare facility in which I work. One day, I took the children outside to play. Many of the boys and one girl started a game of football, and the other boys and girls all ran to the play systems and swings. While walking around and monitoring the children, I overheard one group of girls talking about one particular girl. They were talking about the girl being a “tomboy” because she always played with the boys. When I heard this, I asked them to tell me the definition of a “tom boy”. They gave me answers such as girls who act like boys, girls who do not do “girly” things, and girls who don’t like to wear girl clothes, but likes to wear T-shirts and jeans all of the time. I proceeded to tell them that she was not a “tom boy”, but a girl who just liked to play and be a child. I told them that it is okay for girls to do those things because everyone makes their own choices at what makes them feel comfortable. I even told them that I guess I was a “tom boy” when I was their age because I, too, enjoyed playing sports, getting dirty, and loved T-shirts and jeans. They thought I was kidding because of how I dress and appear now as a woman.
 

                                                              

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.