The Exclusion of Homosexuality in the Classroom - 3060 Words

Current social attitudes toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community can be seen as a significant contributor to the equity, or lack thereof, of the sexual education syllabus in schools. The range of topics covered in regard to homosexuality varies greatly between and within Australia and the United States of America (Bell, 2008, 2). This variance in service provisions can be attributed to differing social attitudes, specifically those held by parents, teachers, students and policy-makers. These social attitudes directly impact the equity of a schools sexual education program. Further, while social attitudes shape education provision they are also shaped by education. With statistics showing that the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœTalking Sexual Health,’ further, includes units about drugs, sex, and health, knowledge and action, addressing diversity, and exploring power dimensions in sexual relationships (Bell, 2003, 2). The success of t he program is clear, not only in the increasing acceptance of GLBTI people in Australia, but for the student population as a whole. Compared to the United States, Australian Teenagers have significantly higher levels of sexual health according to many measures. The birth rate for teen’s ages 15-19 in Australia is 40.5 per 1000, significantly less than the rate for US teens (112.4 per 1000). Australian teens ages 15-19 have an abortion rate of 3.9 per 1000, compared to 30.2 per 1000 for US teens. Ninety percent of Australian males and ninety-five percent of Australian females report having used contraception the first time they had intercourse (Bell, 2003, 2-3). Thus, while much of the sexual health of Australian teens can, in part, be attributed to the openness of parent’s and society, it is clear that the Australian ‘Talking Sexual Health’ syllabus is beneficial not only to GLBTI students, but to Australian youth in general. Changing social attitudes in Australia has been claimed as a significant factor in the increased push within school to promote an inclusive sexual education curriculum (Bell, 2008, 2). Despite this emphasis on diversity heterosexual youths remain far more likely to see their sexuality asShow MoreRelatedEssay on America’s Schools Need Character Education5183 Words   |  21 Pagesthe United States. A very real example of this bias can be seen in the teaching of Thanksgiving. A holiday celebrated universally through all religions gives educators in public schools the opportunity to discuss and rejoice in the day with classroom activities and parties. Neglected from the Thanksgiving lesson, however, is the plight of the Native American who lost land and life when the Puritan settlers landed. Although moral education differs from multicultural education, they have pointsRead MoreA Brief Note On The And Lesbian And Gay Pride Week At An Elementary Classroom Essay1171 Words   |  5 Pageseventually continue a vicious violent cycle towards members of such community and expand that vision to others within his community. In the article â€Å"Surviving the Pain and Widening the Circle: Celebrating Lesbian and Gay Pride Week in an Elementary Classroom,† a teacher (Mr. Guiney) explains the need for schoolboards to include a curriculum on sexual diversity to prevent further ignoran ce and violence upon homosexuals whether they are students or teachers. As it was mentioned in the article, it is importantRead MoreLGBT Hate Crimes and Suicidality Among a Population-Bases Sample of Sexual-Minority Adolescents in Boston1365 Words   |  6 Pagesin Massachusetts to allowing eligible high schools to participate in a survey that would later be used to cross-reference local hate crime rates. 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A lot of times there is a divide between groupings of students some, â€Å"adolescents can hold the belief that it is wrong to be gay, while at the same time accepting that exclusion and teasing based on sexual orientation is wrong because it is hurtful and unfair†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Stacey S. Horn, Ph.D., and Katherine E. Romeo, M.Ed., 2). As teachers is our job to ensure that we try to change these views and bring students who believe that isRead MoreMasculinity as Homophobia by Michael S. Kimmel1532 Words   |  7 Pagesgrouped into very distinct and limiting meanings of masculinity. He states that men, whether consciously or subconsciously, fear being ostracized as being too feminine by other males, and it is this fear which continues a cycle of homophobia and exclusion within masculinity. Men are all putting on a mask, in an attempt to hi de their true selves from other males. 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