Blog #4: Sexual Orientation and Gender

It was interesting to hear about the origin of homosexuality and how genes, hormones, and birth order play a pivotal role. I found birth order particularily interesting because the odds of having a homosexual son increase the more older brothers he has.

I loved the discussions we had during class and how both sides of each question were pontificated. I was a judge and automatically I had my thoughts about each question and wanted to side with a certain group, but listening to the justifications of each made me approach my views differently and more openly. I was not so narrow minded in each question because the two sides gave me fresh ideas about each perspective. In theory, doing this democracy activity in the classroom would prove beneficial because it provides the opportunity for students to voice their opinion and also enlighten them about other viewpoints. In reality, I do not know how well the activity would work because the questions are very sensitive and even seniors in high school would have a difficult time taking a stance on this topics in front of their peers.

This does raise an important issue because gender and sexual orientation are discussed in schools, but not in the classroom with the aide of an adult to guide the conversations. Sexual orientation and gender are constantly gossiped about among friends in the hallways. Stereotypes are establisted immediately and rumors start to generate. If these conversations were moved into the classroom, an environment of acceptance could be established at the school and provide a safe and comfortable learning environment for every student. These converstations are difficult because students are reluctant to express their true feelings and opinions in front of peers. How do we start these tough conversations?

Another stereotype educators need to try and break is the inequality between men and women. Looking at the magazines in class, it did not matter if it was published for men or women, the majority of the pages had the sexual exploitation of women. Beautiful women were amilessly lying on a bed being beautiful, or men were covetting the sexiest woman. The girls in our classes see the images that the media portrays of women and aspire to it, the boys aspire to be with it. Both have inaccurate standards that will rarely be met. This is the basis of low self-esteem and an issue that educators need to combat. I try to be a role model to my female students by demonstrating that not every woman looks like that. Many times the students do not see me as a real woman, but only their teacher and I do not count. Nevertheless, I try to provide that positive female figure that proves not all women need to look like a model from a magazine to be happy and successful.