Start Seeing Diversity

 

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation 

          Responding to the thought of those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same sex partnered families I believe it's very sad for anyone to eliminate such material in the classroom. I don't believe that it should become part of our daily curriculum but I do believe that those children who are in those types of lifestyles should have something they can relate to.   This is definitely not to say that my belief is altered because it's something that is personal, my belief.   Asking questions encourages children to share their diverse experiences and perspectives (Laureate Education (Producer), (n.d.).   I believe it's very important that children see multiple diverse roles and just how the video pointed out how we want our young boys to be when they grow up becoming young men and fathers.  

          I recently experienced a family who was torn by tragedy of the death of their mother/wife leaving the father or the man of the household to carry on the parenting duties.   There were three young girls in the family and there was never a day that I saw them that their hair wasn't neatly combed with hundreds of dangling barrettes in it.   Many days after the funeral and life returning back to normal I saw the little girls and I asked them who did their hair.   Looking at how neatly every part was parted, I was in total shock when they said their dad did their hair.   This was a well-learned lesson and it taught me that fathers can do their daughters' hair just as well.   But if their mother would have kept their father from this experience believing this was only a mother's job this situation probably would have had a different outcome.

          Responding to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating and or interacting with their child might be difficult if looked at from a personal standpoint.  At the same time we must assure families a person’s personal lifestyle has absolutely nothing to do with their career and their focus to care for children.  It would be a surprise to me if individuals who choose to be homosexual, lesbian, or gay impose their character on young children. 

          As a director of a child care center I do not see where a person of this nature would affect the focus of the child care center’s beliefs.  I think what we should be concerned with is the fact there are many children who leave and return home to violent situations, to being close to poverty, who live in environments that are unsafe, who play on playgrounds in neighborhoods where gunfire rings throughout the neighborhood on a daily basis.  I believe as educators we can use this moment as an opportunity to showcase the uniqueness our centers and classrooms are made up and truly show that are focus is on educating children to become citizens of good character and responsibility.

References 

Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Start seeing diversity: Gender [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu