Gender Identity

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. 


I have noticed many ways that homophobia and hererosexism permeate the world of young children. It is like a known "rule" that in our society girls will be frilly, play with barbies and dolls, and be the domestic "goddess" of the household. Boys are the rough and tough ones who dig in the dirt, play with trucks, do the manly duties of the house, and their appearance is clean cut looks. I have noticed in some childhood centers that some promote boys and girls playing with all toys and not so much stereotyping and I have been in some places where it was clear that boys played with trucks and girls played dress up or with dolls. I grew up in a family that had the same stereotypes and now that I am grown I still think about these same stereotypes as I raise my own children. I catch myself at times saying to my son "Oh that is your sister's toy...boys do not play with that." I then have to revamp my thinking in order to prevent stereotyping. " Young children’s developing sense of personal identity is structured by their social, Cultural, and political context." Parents and teachers can provide awareness to stereotypes and gender identity throughout play groups and class settings. 

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).   My husband's nephew is a pre-teen that has grown up with just his mother. He has always been around women since his father was out of the picture from the beginning. They moved to a new town and had to adjust to a new way of life. The boy was not very athletic and has poor social skills when it comes to making friends. He took a home economics class while all the other boys in his class where playing sports or other "boy" activities. I remember hearing his mother say that he was picked on because of the class. He was called a "fag" for taking the class and some of these pre-teen boys were saying things that I NEVER thought children could come up with. It was graphic things....My husband's nephew acted as if the comments didn't bother him. He said he just didn't like being at that school. He continued out the school year and then came back home so he could go to a school that he was use to. Comments such as fag, homo. or whatever else comes to mind can really leave scares on a child. It warps their self esteem and often times leaves them feeling as if they are not good enough or do not belong in a group for one reason or another. 


Resources:
Developing Positive Identities, pp. 17–25