Evaluating
Impacts on Professional Practice
I
understand my personal-life factors may impact the emotional, intellectual, and
social development of the young children and families in my classroom. I considered several situations. One aspect that I anticipate experiencing
relates to gender stereotyping and sexism.
I have never had a child from a lesbian or gay family. Recently, a new student enrolled in another
kindergarten classroom. This young man
has a lesbian mom that includes her partner living together. This family structure does not personally
bother me. However, this family dynamic
is very unfamiliar to me. In addition, I
feel pressure from my Church and the Christian beliefs I have been taught. This has been a topic of several sermons over
the past several months. I do not agree
with judging others and dismissing them for their beliefs as some Churches
believe. If I was unwilling to be
accepting of differences, my children would suffer. This risk of hurting them is great. Their self-esteem and self-confidence could
be harmed. They would feel isolated and
unworthy. I would never want to be
guilty of making a child feel this way.
I try to treat them with the love and care I would expect for my own child. It is not always easy, but it is so
important.
As
an educator, it becomes imperative to set aside my personal feelings in order
to accommodate the needs of my children.
We live in a culturally diverse world with no room for prejudice. Our children need to be taught awareness and
tolerance. It is our responsibility as
teachers and parents to educate our students.
In this scenario, I would research gay or lesbian families and issues
using course materials and internet research.
I would visit with members of local organizations that represent these
families. Foremost, I would take the
initiative to communicate with the family about their experiences and
expectations. Taking their needs and
lifestyle into account will help me incorporate stories and activities that
help children understand family differences. Children and families are similar to
snowflakes – each one is unique in its own way.
Cindy- I had found myself in that situation several years ago. I thought at first that I would have issues with the situation and that I would not be able to serve the family the best way that I could. Well, I was wrong. Yes, a homosexual lifestyle is against my religion, but it is not the child's fault and the family is an extension of the child and I found that I was able to treat them all without problems and with the respect they deserve. Last year I was given another child with lesbian parents and I learned that just because they lived that lifestyle does not mean they were similar with how their family structure was. It was a learning experience for me but one I am grateful for. Last year's family will stop and see me at least once a week which makes me feel good because I know I did something right in how I treated them.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you brought this up because this is a topic that I really believe this is a topic that we will see more and more of. I too struggled with how to handle same sex families. I had a student I mentored at my school who used to be on my special education case load. I got very attached to the student and his family. His primary caregivers were his maternal grandmother and her partner. It was my first experience with a lesbian couple as caregivers for one of my students. I was always raised to believe that homosexuality was wrong. In the church I grew up in it was discussed and we learned that it was wrong. Like you,their family structure doesn't bother me either. My student has moved on to middle school and I have maintained a positive relationship with them. I never let their lifestyle affect my treatment of them or my student. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post! Our course text teaches us that most families want their children to grow up proud of themselves and open to others, unbiased and empowered. It’s something even very different kinds of families have in common, along with the desire to be the best parents possible. You made a very good point saying that as an educator, it becomes imperative to set aside personal feelings in order to accommodate the needs of the children. Our course text also stresses that for many children, their early childhood education setting is one of the first places they experience how the world feels about their family—and by extension, about them.