Have we really come that far?
The reading opened with children discussing the Brown vs. board of education and how the decision about integrating the classroom made a big impact. The discussion then moves nicely into interracial marriages that lead into same sex marriages. I often think about how far we have come as a society and I want to believe that we have become more open minded and accepting of all people. Yet I see how heated the debate between same sex marriages can get and it makes me think have we really come that far? When it boils down to it, we are arguing about who can marry whom.
One of the basics of early childhood education is to provide an environment where children and families are comfortable and accepted as they are. About a year ago, I receive a phone call from a family. Her first question to me was if our school accepted families with alternative lifestyles. At first, I was blown away and I didn’t think that a family had to ask that question. Once I assured her that we accept all families, it almost seems as if she was relieved. I was intrigued because I thought turning a family down based of sexual orientation is discrimination but I realized since most preschools are private, they can accept whomever they choose for whatever reasons.
But as a preschool teacher I realized how careful we have to be to all types of families and children. It surprised me to realize that 1 out of 10 children will grow up to become gay or lesbian adults. This makes me think that if that is the case I need to be more aware of what I say to these children. If their first experiences and foundations are taught in preschool I have to be conscious of my acceptance of gays and lesbians. I don't believe that being an activist should be for gays and lesbians preaching. I think as a teacher we can be strong activist for many families and children simply by just showing our support and acceptance of people. If we are trying to instill an accepting and loving attitude in the children we teach, we must reflect this attitude as well - even if you don't "agree" with their lifestyle. Being a teacher is not about "agreeing" with families lifestyle or juding it at all. If we are going to change society to become more open-minded and accepting of all people, we need to start in our classrooms and with this generation. I know that we look back at the Brown vs. BOE and can’t believe society use to be that way. But I can’t wait for the day when we can look back and think about the same thing about this issue.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour awareness of the fact that there are gay children in your classroom offers you opportunity to examine your practice and ensure you are creating a safe space for all children. Some of my research focuses on how gay children have been left out of early childhood classrooms. I wonder how teachers might address leaving some children out. Is it educators' own discomfort that creates a limiting environment? How can this discomfort be resolved? Is resolution in an awareness of bias? What can educators learn from Brown vs BOE?
Jeanne
This topic reminds me of that house bill 444 that's going on here in hawaii. I am against same sex marriage but I can say that I 100% will not let that affect the way I teach and when it comes to communicating with these kinds of families. I will treat all my families the same because it's just not right. I can say too that we did come a long way with accepting everyone's skin color. But by doing this, does this make me a hypocrite? I don't know but all I know is that this issue will become a barrier to you trying to communicate with your families in your class because you don't like or agree with same sex marriage.
ReplyDeleteIt can be a hard thing to do, to have a family of same sex marriage, but it has to be done. Being a good teacher means you have to put all your beliefs aside in order to better the families that come into your classroom. It's not all about your families but for their children. It's true when you say we have to be
open minded to these families. If we weren't, we could say that we didn't get any better from the Brown vs. BOE case.
You mention a lot about how it is our role to teach and demonstrate acceptance and I could not agree more. It must be difficult for families who have “non-typical” lifestyles to find acceptance. Preschool should be a place where both children and their families feel welcomed and accepted. As teachers, it is not our role to judge how families live their lives. Everyone is different and families are becoming less typical. Children should learn that families are different in many different ways and differences make life more interesting. Families should feel comfortable and assured that their child is going to have the same opportunities as the other children in the class. There is no right or wrong way to have a family and the composition of the family does not represent the quality of it. If more people in our world could be more accepting of other differences then we would have a lot less hatred.
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