Recognizing the rights of the LGBT
After reading the quote, “there has been an increasing recognition that the many forms of psychological and physical victimization that occurs in school settings can have a devastating effect upon the well-being of youths” (D’Augelli, & Patterson, 2001) I found it surprising that marginalization is still occurring in schools.
I came to realize that many educators tend to adopt and use a heteronormative lens of understanding within their discourse. For example, in my first practicum, I had a child who was misbehaving, and I told him a phone call would be made home to mom and dad. The student told me angrily, “Mom, you mean.” Due to my unintentional assumption, the student became aggravated and withdrawn. This incident has made me reflect that I have to be more aware of the family structures of my students. In particular, I need to be more conscientious of my words and actions. As a future educator, I feel it is important we are sensitive to lifestyle choices that we not familiar with. In doing so, we need to foster a culture of respect and inclusiveness among classmates. There is no longer a “traditional lifestyle.” If we continue to use this normative dialogue (that is, tradition), members of the LGBT community will never gain an equal status with heterosexual individuals. Changing the mindset and perception of the family and of individuals will be necessary for society to evolve and become more accepting of the LGBT community.
C.D.
Rivers, I., & D’Augelli, A. (2001). The victimization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. In A. D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identities and Youth: Psychological Perspectives (pp. 199-223). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
I came to realize that many educators tend to adopt and use a heteronormative lens of understanding within their discourse. For example, in my first practicum, I had a child who was misbehaving, and I told him a phone call would be made home to mom and dad. The student told me angrily, “Mom, you mean.” Due to my unintentional assumption, the student became aggravated and withdrawn. This incident has made me reflect that I have to be more aware of the family structures of my students. In particular, I need to be more conscientious of my words and actions. As a future educator, I feel it is important we are sensitive to lifestyle choices that we not familiar with. In doing so, we need to foster a culture of respect and inclusiveness among classmates. There is no longer a “traditional lifestyle.” If we continue to use this normative dialogue (that is, tradition), members of the LGBT community will never gain an equal status with heterosexual individuals. Changing the mindset and perception of the family and of individuals will be necessary for society to evolve and become more accepting of the LGBT community.
C.D.
Rivers, I., & D’Augelli, A. (2001). The victimization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. In A. D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identities and Youth: Psychological Perspectives (pp. 199-223). Oxford: Oxford University Press.