Sunday, May 24, 2015

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation




Society establishes our roles of how girls and boys are expected to behave and how they should act.  They introduce specific roles that are usually associated to their biological sex.  Boys are often associated with more masculine roles such as playing with trucks and getting down and dirty.   Girls are often linked to more feminine roles such as playing with dolls, cooking and cleaning. Young children are very impressionable whatever is presented or imparted upon them they absorb.  Children are influenced by those close around them as well as by the media, toys, movies and book all play a part in defining their roles.  For instance in the movies girls are often seen in roles as princess where they are all dolled up with tiaras, pink gowns and jewelry and boys as super heroes, protecting, fighting and exhibiting extraordinary strength.  I feel that the main goal of early childhood centers are to provide each children with a safe and loving environment that promotes optimal learning.   I feel that the center should reflect the diversity that is found within its community.  Learning about diversity can decrease prejudice and prepare children to live in a multicultural society. It can reduce stereotyping and misconceptions, and can help others develop a more accepting viewpoint.



I have often heard young children use those “homophobic” terms.  Children brains are like sponges as I previously stated.  I feel that they don’t often understand what they truly mean but have heard someone else use it.   I think this can have a devastating impact on children if they don’t have the support, protection, love and guidance that they all need.  If they are receiving this same kind of negative feedback at home this can further impact their future negatively.  I feel that if the parents and teachers work together productively they can help diminish the effects that homophobic name calling may have incur on individuals effected.

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