• About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Download App
  • Virtual Summit
  • Benefit Hub for Subscribers Only
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
Find/Post Jobs
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good
No Result
View All Result
Home Diversity

Creating Gender Inclusive Classrooms: Boys, Girls, or Purple Penguins?

Susan YoungsteadtbySusan Youngsteadt
April 7, 2019
in Diversity, LGBTQ, News, School Social Work
0
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on PinterestShare via EmailShare on Reddit

Gender

A school district in Lincoln, Nebraska recently decided to avoid using the gender terms boys or girls in order to become more gender inclusive. Specifically at Irving Middle School, teachers and staff were provided with materials educating them on how to use more generic expressions for children, such as “campers, readers, athletes, or even purple penguins to be more gender inclusive” writes Deena Winter of the Nebraska Watchdog.

Winter reports on  a handout called “12 Easy Steps on the Way to Gender Inclusiveness” which advises teachers on how to avoid separating students by gender, but instead make divisions using birth dates or other preferences. Working with children ages 5 to 14 in a mix-gendered environment, I found myself asking this question about my work environment. The phrase “alright boys and girl” is commonly used to get the participants’ attention along with “you guys” or “yes sir or yes ma’am”.

“Always ask yourself, ‘Will this configuration create a gendered space?’” said Step 1 of the handout.

Or they could “Create classroom names and then ask all of the ‘purple
Penguins’ to meet at the rug,” the handout said.

Step 5: “When you find it necessary to reference gender, say ‘boy, girl, both or neither,” the handout said. “When asked why, use this as a teachable moment. Emphasize to students that your classroom recognizes and celebrates the gender diversity of all students.”

Step 7: “Look for examples in the media that reinforce gender stereotypes or binary models of gender (it won’t be hard; they’re everywhere). When with others, call it out and interrogate it.”

Step 8: “Be intolerant of openly hostile attitudes or references towards others… on their statements about gender. Being punitive may stop the behavior, at least in your presence. Being instructive may stop it entirely.”

Step 10: “Avoid using ‘normal’ to define any behaviors.”  Read Full Article

Middle school children face numerous obstacles and difficulties during those three years. There is an increasing need to fit in, yet one is also beginning to figure out who they are or who they want to be. Understanding one’s gender identity only adds to the stresses an individual encounters during those early teen years.

Lincoln Superintendent Steve Joel provided a statement referencing what children who struggle with gender identity may be facing and how this initiative can help. “Kids who are “living an alternative lifestyle” or have a “gender difference” are going through an “emotionally traumatic time,” Joel said, and other students “don’t understand what that child represents” so the school needs to help students understand “differences are OK” and “we’re all there to learn”.

The handouts have so far only been provided to teachers and staff at Irving Middle School. However, Joel believes it is up to each individual school to decide what the needs of the student body are. Members of the Nebraska Family Alliance and other sister organizations have commented on how the information is “some of the most radical material we’ve ever seen”.

Although extreme, the decision to implement gender inclusive material into the school system is progressive. As a future social worker, the gender inclusive initiative that Lincoln Nebraska has started takes them one step closer to equality for all individuals, regardless of gender identity. Social workers actively work to advocate for equal rights in schools for members of the LGBTQ community. I believe, after time has passed, Irving Middle School may be used as an example for other schools on how to better address gender differences at this age. To understand gender as a social issue, one must first acknowledge that gender is not binary. Although, some people may view gender inclusion as only a means to  appease the LGBTQ community. This intervention could also help to minimize effects of gender assigned roles that thwart the growth of our young people in early education.

Girls are less likely to interrupt others to speak, but those who do are interpreted as rude or unwilling to follow class rules. Boys interrupt their peers and the teacher more frequently and this can be interpreted as either an assertion of leadership or inability to follow class rules. Girls’ school work is often described in terms of their perceived effort but boys’ school work is interpreted according to their smartness and capability. Often, girls are rewarded for being nice, helpful and compliant while boys are rewarded for demonstrating skill and assertiveness. Educators reflect the cultural assumption that it is “natural” for boys to be boisterous, aggressive, competitive and unruly, but girls’ behavior becomes a “problem” when it challenges the boundaries of femininity. Read Full Article

Middle to late childhood, ages 9-14, is a time of increased need for social acceptance. Not only are there physical changes that impact children in this group, there are also changes within an individual’s social circle. I am sure we can all attest to the claim that middle school was one of the most stressful and terrifying time periods of our lives. If worrying about how we chose to identify ourselves or what actions are appropriate for our gender was eliminated in school, imagine what character qualities may have been nurtured.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Starting Your Journey: I Am A Social Worker

Next Post

Site Launches to Help Millions of Abuse Victims Find Help Faster

Susan Youngsteadt

Susan Youngsteadt

Susan Youngsteadt is a first-year student in the Master's in Social Work Program at North Carolina State University (NCSU). She graduated from NCSU with a B.A. in Psychology as well as minors in Social Work and Nonprofit Studies. Susan currently works at Lake Lynn Community Center as part of the School Based Programs as an intern, working with children ages 5-14 on a conflict resolution and emotional expression curriculum.

Related Posts

Do District-Based Elections For School Board Help Minority Candidates Get Elected?
News

NASW Opposes Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Exams

February 9, 2023
5 Ways To Boost Employee Wellbeing
Health

5 Ways To Boost Employee Wellbeing

January 7, 2023
What is High Performance Culture and How to Create It
Business

What is High Performance Culture and How to Create It

January 7, 2023
Morgan State University Professor Anthony Estreet to be next CEO of NASW
News

Morgan State University Professor Anthony Estreet to be next CEO of NASW

January 5, 2023
Sex Trafficking Survivor Files Lawsuit Against Red Roof Inns
Human Rights

Sex Trafficking Survivor Files Lawsuit Against Red Roof Inns

January 4, 2023
When Reporters of Sexual Harassment Are Silenced By Advocacy Institutions the Harm is Far Worst
Education

When Reporters of Sexual Harassment Are Silenced By Advocacy Institutions the Harm is Far Worst

January 3, 2023
Next Post
Site Launches to Help Millions of Abuse Victims Find Help Faster

Site Launches to Help Millions of Abuse Victims Find Help Faster

Innovation Tool:  Modified Power Wheels Cars for Toddlers with Disabilities

Innovation Tool: Modified Power Wheels Cars for Toddlers with Disabilities

Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
What Can Be Done To Solve The Foster Care Crisis?

Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

June 24, 2022
What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

June 19, 2022
Want to Work With Children: 5 Skills and Qualities You Should Be Working On

Want to Work With Children: 5 Skills and Qualities You Should Be Working On

April 7, 2019

Connect With Us

Twitter
FlipboardInstagram
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram TikTok
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good

  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Buy Merch
  • Download App
  • Terms of Service
https://youtu.be/jWzjyPoSjtw

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • News
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Politics
    • Criminal Justice
    • Social Work
    • Education
    • LGBTQ
    • Technology
    • Disability
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Webinars
  • Virtual Summit
  • Career Center
  • Download App
  • Subscriber Benefit Hub
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
Sign Up with Linked In
OR

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.