Sexual Orientation In Elementary Education

As the student affairs profession develops, it is important to remain aware of how students and their identities are evolving. Higher education is constantly evolving, which is why it is extremely important to take sexual orientation identity and its influence on student development into account. In this paper, I will explore Fassinger’s (1998) sexual orientation identity model and provide an analysis of the theory. I will also share my findings from three interviews with students who are in different stages of sexual identity formation. Finally, I will address how knowledge of Fassinger’s Model and sexual identity development can inform the work of student affairs educators in creating more inclusive college and university environments.

Homosexuality is defined or characterized as attraction towards the same gender either male or female. It came from the Greek language, where “homo” means the same or similar, hence referring to the attraction between two beings of the same sex. Homosexuality is also referred as a clinical term. Most male homosexuals generally prefer to be called "gay men" and most homosexual women generally prefer to be called "lesbians." Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, alongside bisexual and heterosexual. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality is an example of normal and positive variation in human sexual

Picture an African American High School student who is struggling with their sexuality identity. He is experiencing anxieties from high-achieving parents, which both attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His father was the star player on the football team and served in the military. His mother is a partner in a prestigious law firm. In addition, his older brother won the Heisman trophy, and his sister just landed a job working at the Whitehouse. Needless to say his parents, has high expectations for their children. He is currently a B average student, and is working hard to bring his grades up. Also, the transition from middle school to high school has added additional stress to this student’s life. We can conclude this

Moving on to the third article, “The Sound of Silence: Talking About Sexual Orientation and School” by Renee DePalma and Elizabeth Atkinson primarily addresses how the parents feel about their students learning about sexuality. DePalma and Atkinson created an internet forum that let the parents express their opinions on statements regarding sexual orientation in their student’s curriculum. The purpose of this discussion was to find out where parents stood on this topic. DePalma and Atkinson (2006) clarify the statements varied from, “Discussing sexual orientation in class might make children gay. Children in school are too young to be thinking about things like sexual orientation. All teachers, pupils, and parents have a

Students who identify as members of the LGBTQ2-S community may experience academic, social, and emotional challenges, both within and outside of the walls of school (Harrison & Thomas, 2014). Therefore, as a school psychologist and advocate for students, one should promote for “changes in policies through brief conversations and suggestions with teachers, staff, and administrators; this process may be effective in shaping the school climate toward acceptance of LGBT youth” (Heck, Flentje, & Cochran, 2011, pp. 169-170). However, for a school psychologist to be successful in doing so, one must strive to be culturally competent. It is for that reason, that a school psychologist must

The Washington Post revealed a survey that stated that more than 1 in 5 female undergraduates at top schools suffer sexual attacks while in college.The survey revealed the top 27 universities with the highest sexual assault incidents.The university with the highest number of sexual misconducts was the University of Michigan. As current president of the University of Michigan you do not want to be acknowledged as the school with the highest number of sexual assault incidents; therefore something has to be done.The issue of sexual misconduct in the University of Michigan needs to be addressed, this issue needs to be taken seriously to protect the life of women enrolled in the this university. Sexual assault is an issue that cannot

The vast pace and majority of changes that are happening in the modern world regarding gender norms and sexuality change the role of a teacher; it becomes more difficult and complex, but it also makes the role of the teacher something more rewarding to become involved in (Malaguzzi, 1994, p. 2). In an educational setting, a teacher needs to remain value neutral. She cannot let her own opinions and beliefs about sexuality and gender norms influence her pedagogy, instead, a teacher needs to perceive the world through the eyes of a child and create a quality, impartial and inclusive environment where students can practice a state of emotional wellbeing and find their identity in a safe space (Robson, 2004, p. 214; Siraj-Blatchford & Clarke, 2004, p. 25).

1.) Institutionalized heterosexuality- “Beginning in elementary school, students participate in a “heterosexualizing process” in which children present themselves as “normal” girls or boys through discourses of heterosexuality. Schools that convey and regulate sexual meanings are often organized in ways that are heteronormative and homophobic. The ordering of sexuality from elementary school through high school is inseparable from the institutional ordering of gendered identities. The heterosexualizing process organized by educational institutions cannot be separated from, and in fact is central to, the development of masculine identities” (26).

Homosexuality has been a sensitive subject in society for a long time. In recent years, it has sparked both support and controversy in areas such as legalizing gay and lesbian marriage and various other matters that have arisen surrounding the movement towards equality of treatment and integration into society. One of these matters that has garnered attention is gay parenting.

Children are the greatest gift parent could ever experience and raising them to be productive individuals is an important goal to most parents. A child’s sexuality usually does not come into question as the parent raises their children, parents naturally nurture their child based on their natural sexual gender. Nurturing a child’s natural sexual gender simply means raising that child as a boy if the child is born with male genital or raising the child as a female if the child is born with female genital. Although, the concept of nurturing a child’s natural sexual gender seems natural but not all parents agree. David Reimer was born a male child yet his parent raised him as a female.

The topic of sexuality is one that many parents avoid explaining to their children. However, learning about sexuality should be a normal part of child development. Parents need to be open and honest when answering their child’s questions about sexuality.

This body of literature proves the sexual orientation of parents does not effect their kids sexual orientation. These studies have their strengths, but also they have their weaknesses. There are three main concerns and limitations of this body of research as a whole. One, all this data is primarily based on middle to upper class white people. The study of the 27 lesbian, 29 gay, and 50 heterosexual that had parents and caretakers fill our inventories was 85% white, and the mean income was 160K (Farr et al., 2010). The Golombok and Tasker (1996) longitudinal study of children from lesbian mothers had sample that was 91% white, only 4 non-whites were in the study. Furthermore, the study focused on the romantic relationships and sexual behavior

In today’s society, it is very difficult for some teenagers to be who they truly are because of the risk of being ostracized and isolated by their peers. There are certain pressures and prejudices imposed by a predominately heterosexual society on homosexuals, and especially on homosexual teens, that can cause teenagers to suppress their preferences. These stereotypes can influence if a teen is willing to openly reveal their sexual identity and because society has become so absent- minded to the mannerisms commonly used to describe homosexuals such as "queer," "fag," and "dyke" and the offensive nature of these words/phrases, this project will help assist with opening the minds of my peers to help eliminate biases, stereotypes, and prejudices associated with being gay.

Each year the schools, districts and states put together a plan for how they are to handle certain issues that many arise during the school year. Every year they try to address new issues such as sexual orientation/identity, diversity, exceptionalities, socioeconomic status and language background. They are constantly assessing the schools, districts and states to determine new and effective ways to resolve these issues.

This paper focuses on the intensity of preference for sons over daughters in anticipation of old age security both physically and financially, and its impact on the care and support/ well-being of the elderly in Nigeria in general, and in particular among the Yoruba of Southwest. The paper examines the impact of social change on child sex preference as old age security. Before delving into the theme of the paper, the concept of social change was briefly discussed. The reasons for having children generally are discussed, child sex