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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

DD (13) has been shown Trans 101 video at school. Please help me draft a response.

61 replies

veryconcernedparent · 03/12/2020 11:55

NC for this.
I've been lurking on the Feminism board for the last few months and have really had my eyes opened.
I have just discovered that DD, who is in year 9, has been shown the following video in form time:

www.trans101.org.au/video1.html

I'm horrified and really feel I should get in touch with the school but I am not as well informed as many posters here and I don't know where to start. What issues do I raise and how?

There was apparently no discussion in class after the video, although there was plenty among the children afterwards. I have discussed the issues with DD in the past and thought she understood but the discussion we've had since she saw the video shows that she is now very confused.

Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:
gardenbird48 · 03/12/2020 12:15

this is totally against the new government guidelines and perpetuates the dangerous message re. 'if you don't conform to the narrow 'gender' stereotypes imposed on you based on your sex, you may be trans'. That is saying that if you're not a girly girl who likes pink pretty stuff and doesn't like being talked down to, you may be a boy.

No wonder your poor daughter is confused, this is a ridiculous video which chucks out tons of random words identifying as information. Why ever would the teacher use this resource? and certainly just to dump it on the kids with no discussion - what was he or she thinking?

And it is suggesting that you might choose to use the toilets/facilities of your 'gender identity' - this is definitely against safeguarding principles. You could point out that the number of rapes in schools each year is in the 100s (average 200 I think) and sexual assaults will be higher. How will letting children use the toilets of the opposite sex help reduce that figure?

OhHolyJesus · 03/12/2020 12:14

When deciding if a resource is suitable, you should consider if it:
• aligns to the teaching requirements set out in the statutory guidance
• would support pupils in applying their knowledge in different contexts and settings
• is age-appropriate - think about the age, developmental stage and background of your pupils
• is evidence-based and contains robust facts and statistics
• fits into your curriculum plan
• is from a credible source

OhHolyJesus · 03/12/2020 12:11

From the govt guidelines

We are aware that topics involving gender and biological sex can be complex and sensitive matters to navigate. You should not reinforce harmful stereotypes, for instance by suggesting that children might be a different gender based on their personality and interests or the clothes they prefer to wear. Resources used in teaching about this topic must always be age-appropriate and evidence based. Materials which suggest that non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with having a different gender identity should not be used and you should not work with external agencies or organisations that produce such material. While teachers should not suggest to a child that their non-compliance with gender stereotypes means that either their personality or their body is wrong and in need of changing, teachers should always seek to treat individual students with sympathy and support.
You should work together with parents on any decisions regarding your school’s treatment of their child, in line with the school’s safeguarding policy and the statutory guidance on working together to safeguard childrenen_.*

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum

allmywhat · 03/12/2020 12:08

I don't think I can help you OP, although I am sure others can. I just really wanted to comment on this.

ignores the huge and amazing world of people who are trans and gender diverse.

But it's not! It's so narrow. Even if they're looking at "gender diverse" people from other cultures, they're shoehorning them into their particular Western framework - therefore reducing an opportunity to genuinely learn something about other cultures into an opportunity to navel gaze. "Gender diversity" is the least interesting form of human diversity imaginable. I think it's really sad that kids are being taught stuff that narrows their minds in the guise of expanding them.

OhHolyJesus · 03/12/2020 12:08

As this is an extreme ideology and inaccurate the school need to justify how it meet statutory government guidelines.

There are lots of threads on this already with advice on how to approach the school. Get an appointment with the head and ask why it was shown, how it meets govt guidelines, what lessons (it's not just RSE/PSHE clearly) and assemblies include gender ideology teaching (they will argue it doesn't) and that you do not give your consent to having your child included in anything connected to this.

Aesopfable · 03/12/2020 12:06

You could point out that they are not allowed by law to simple present one political perspective. And ask who and when they will be presenting the alternative point of view.

NancyDrawed · 03/12/2020 12:05

Have you looked on the Safe Schools Alliance website? Not sure whether they have anything on this specific organisation, but it's a good place to start and there are letter templates on the site which might be useful as a basis for writing to your DD's school.

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/

Angryresister · 03/12/2020 12:04

The latest govt guidance explicitly states that this type of propaganda should not be shown in schools. ( assuming you are in Uk) if it is saying that you are born in the wrong body etc. These young people are presented as being cool, and are really talking about being gender non conforming in terms of stereotypes, which is ok. But by linking behaviour or looks to being transgender is really sinister.

GeorgiaMcGraw · 03/12/2020 12:04

Have you looked at Safe Schools Alliance and Transgender Trend? They may be able to help.

IDontMindMarmite · 03/12/2020 12:01

Assigned at birth
Gender is internal sense of self
Gender can be male, female, neither, mix of both or something else
If you don't 'feel' like what you were 'assigned' then you're transgender

I must have a very short attention span because I gave up after that. The stupidest video ever. Where are the biology teachers. Why are people wilfully confusing sex and gender.

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