Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

What can teachers and other professionals do to create a more gender free environment in our schools?

287 replies

SarahCarer · 11/07/2018 23:11

As my dd is autistic and, as a result, Gender non Conforming (GNC) I thought I would share some thoughts about how to de-gender our schools.

Firstly, teachers need to find a way to address groups of children without saying "girls" or "boys" . This is commonplace in some schools and puts an unnatural focus onto a person's sex which is of no relevance at all in the context.

Secondly every school should have at least one unisex toilet which any pupil can use without special permission.

Thirdly school staff should avoid using the terms "good girl" or "good boy" Again the sex is of no relevance and the statement risks implying that they are being good because they are behaving in a way consistent with femininity or masculinity.

Fourthly ALL sexism and homophobia should be robustly challenged

Fifthly sex ed should not have gendered content

Sixthly there should be no organising of classes with reference to sex except in PE or for sex ed.

Any thoughts on these suggestions or suggestions for others?

These are some of the ways we can protect our autistic children from gender dysphoria (GD)

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 11/07/2018 23:32

Sex ed should have content that is tailored for each sex, whilst also ensuring children learn about the opposite sex.

Etino · 11/07/2018 23:31

Fifthly sex ed should not have gendered content
So how would that work? Confused
And yes, I do know the difference between sex and gender.

LuluJakey1 · 11/07/2018 23:31

In the secondary schools I have worked in, the school, the governors and staff have worked incredibly hard to not stereotype children in any way. There are differences between the sexes in how they behave- many occur from cultural expectations and customs children experience from birth in all aspects of their lives.

Most people do not want gender free environments. We like being women or men. What we want is not to be stereotyped or treated badly or unequally because we are women or men. Schools, in my experience, try really hard to do that. They might not be perfect but they are extremely aware of the issues and try hard to get it right.

PinkAvocado · 11/07/2018 23:29

What is gender without the stereotypes though?

CanaBanana · 11/07/2018 23:28

I doubt that the vast majority of parents want schools to be gender free. Being free of gender stereotypes does not mean we have to be free of gender.

ErrolTheDragon · 11/07/2018 23:25

Why would we want gender free environments in schools?

Because gender stereotypes limit children's potential.

PinkAvocado · 11/07/2018 23:24

Uniform should be jogging bottoms/shorts, relaxed skirt/dress, t shirts/jumpers and trainers.

School shoes marketed for girls are often terrible for warmth, keeping water out and running in.

LuluJakey1 · 11/07/2018 23:23

Much of what you suggest is utter rubbish and you make some huge assumptions about schools being almost blunt weapons that contribute to stereotyping and discrimnation.

Gileswithachainsaw · 11/07/2018 23:22

Expectations.

They need to be the same. No more " boys will be boys" when they are charging round the playground knocking people over . No more "girls are just bitchy" when being mean about people.

Stop making girls Buffer zones between disruptive or harder to manage boys. It's putting the role of carer and peace keeper onto predominantly girls. It doesn't go unnoticed.

LuluJakey1 · 11/07/2018 23:21

Why would we want gender free environments in schools?

DreamingofBrie · 11/07/2018 23:20

Watching with interest!

spiderbabymum · 11/07/2018 23:15

Saw something on Facebook on this
Interested .+++