Trans education in secondary school

[ranatemp]

I've done a lot of lurking here and learnt loads: thanks.
This week my child has told me about the anti-transphobia PHSE lesson they've received in school this week. Delivered by a very lovely teacher who is usually up for lots of debate and discussion. In this lesson there was none. Gender roles reinforced. Girl and boy brains. Misgendering is hate. Makes me so sad. We talk about it at home and my child has become a big fan of Magdelen Burns but knows not to question any of this openly at school. Would be social suicide.
Interesting that in a topic on discrimination they are only going to be covering transphobia, homophobia and islamophobia. No room for passé racism or sexism (or disablism despite the go-to insult in the school being mongie).

@ranatemp I'm sorry about that. Keep wondering if my daughter's school will bring this in.

Education is really failing kids and it will unfortunately see a lack of respect as a result for teaching bollocks. But there you go.

Gender roles reinforced. Girl and boy brains.

This is worrying. It's like there's a conservative agenda behind the whole trans thing.

Could she ask teacher for a copy of materials so she can show her mum?

The school shouldn't be promoting one set of beliefs/ideology. Can you take the alternative school pack in and have a chat with the head about balance and how to support all children.

Have you checked the policies about sex exemptions - e.g. For overnight stays, showers etc. You can check here for pointers on what should be enforceable by the school, if needed.

It's made more difficult by the fact I work at the school. We have trans kids. I think I would be sacked if I said anything dissenting.

This pack was pulled together with the intention of supporting all students at the school, trans and otherwise:
www.transgendertrend.com/transgender-schools-guidance/

Stonewall dislike it but won't say why.

What are your concerns? Why do you worry you might be sacked for sharing them?

Thanks I've read it. I think it's a great resource. Really humane and balanced. The school is a stonewall school champion school so I don't think they'd have any time for it.

What do a 'class war' and conservative agenda have in common? Misogyny and sexism.

So sad to see.

Maybe you could challenge the school on its conservative right-wing stance. They won't be expecting that.

ie 'I don't like these gender stereotyping ideas - they're terribly right wing and old fashioned'.

I do really feel for you and understand it's a really political situation.

It isn't wrong to want a balanced, ethical set of views to be presented to your children at school though.

You have the moral right to ask questions about what is being taught in schools if you are concerned. And the school should be providing a balanced view, not just one non fact based view point.

You're right. Definitely don't perceive themselves as right-wing. They are very supportive to gay and lesbian students and staff. It's so frustrating that caring, intelligent people can't see how regressive the trans ideology is. And I'm cross with myself that I'm not brave enough to challenge it.