"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

 

Growing up in the 60s and 70's things were much different than they are now.  Certain things were delegated for boys and certain things for girls. Dolls, clothes, and dress-up was only for girls and boys were supposedly more into sports, rough-housing, cars and trucks.  Today, there are a lot more women that are as excited about sports, being firemen and police officers than ever before. If you thought you wanted to be a police officer or even a construction worker, you were frowned upon. Also, if there were males that wanted to be nurses or secretaries, this also was frowned upon. Genders were supposedly dealing with girls being pretty and boys being hard and rough. Over time these things have changed as life changes. We can no longer teach our children that they do not have a choice. The interests are greater and we cannot identify children by how they are dressed or how they look. I went to visit a school and noticed this little boy whom I thought was a little girl because he had long pigtails in his head. I did not realize it was a boy until the teacher asked all of the boys to get on the carpet. I assumed because of his appearance that he was a girl.

 

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? (Note: if you have not had a personal experience, ask a family member, friend, or colleague)

I remember growing up and those of use who dressed in a certain way or spent a lot of time playing sports were considered tom boys. I loved playing sports at that time but also was a girly girl so I didn't get thrown into that category. I have heard all types of names being used to describe those that were homosexuals and I have myself said words such as fag or gay before realizing the harm that these things can cause. I have never called a person by these names but have seen the hurt they can cause. I have a nephew who is homosexual and for many reasons family members do not accept him. I choose to accept him for who he is and love him in spite of what anybody else thinks or feels. It is very hurtful to hear these comments, especially towards someone you love and can be very damaging to children. Children have family members even parents that may be homosexual or lesbians and the things we say in their presence can cause damaging affects on that child as well as other children listening to our comments. We have to be the example we want to see.