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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Schools and Teachers

27 replies

koshkatt · 01/03/2020 09:38

Are there any other teachers on here who are considering leaving due to what seems to be the complete capture of the profession?

I thought that I would be able to fight this and stand up for children who are being brainwashed (imo) by an ideology that has no basis in fact or science - just 'belief'. But it is really starting to affect me badly and I feel like I just cannot win. My views are not welcome and no one listens to my concerns. I feel like such a coward.

OP posts:
veryboredtoday · 01/03/2020 09:45

I don't consider leaving but I regularly but quietly question the ideology with the students. I'm finding more and more that the majority have a GC viewpoint even if it is spoken under hushed voices. Helps Being a biology teacher as I have the biology textbooks to back me up.

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 09:53

Having biology on your side is a big plus! I am struggling though with the fact that kids/staff who are GC have to use 'hushed tones'. It is so wrong.

I worry about the new PHSE plans coming in - that may just finish me off.

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veryboredtoday · 01/03/2020 10:04

Thankfully I have escaped teaching PSHE this year but I would have an issue with teaching it.
I am lucky that the SLT are quite sensible about the issue balancing supporting a handful of transgender pupils without pushing the transgender agenda.
For example, we have male and female toilet blocks plus one block of gender neutral toilets (floor to ceiling with a sink inside the cubicle).

1point21gigawatts · 01/03/2020 10:14

I was talking to a class last week about biological sex (biology teacher, so not unusual) and a few of them said do you mean gender miss? And I said no, sex, and explained the difference.

I would never consider leaving. As veryboredtoday says I guess our SLT is not promoting any agenda, but having to deal with students self id-ing sensitively. We have many gender nc girls. One that I know of was questioning her sex, but has reached the conclusion on her own that she is a lesbian and has no need to change sex. Another who has since left was very proud to tell me about her/his start on hormones as soon as they reached 16. I could have wept for them tbh, but I smiled and wished them happiness.

I do find it hard, but I try and talk about the difference between biology and societal expectations within reason as much as I can as a classroom teacher. It's the best I can do.

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 10:44

Yes the confusion between sex and gender is huge and deliberate. It is all so bloody sad.

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noblegiraffe · 01/03/2020 10:48

Leaving the profession? Confused

This issue has absolutely zero impact on my day-to-day teaching. What is it that you are being asked to do?

NeurotrashWarrior · 01/03/2020 10:53

Considering leaving for other reasons but not this.

This makes me want to stay to make sure I can challenge views. However my setting is primary and Sen so it's not as rife or as much of an issue yet.

NeurotrashWarrior · 01/03/2020 10:54

I'd find it hard if I was teaching RSE and biology and also in a school that was captured, but I'd have to try to find the courage to query it and challenge it.

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 10:54

The school is supporting guidelines and pushing an agenda that is utterly nonsensical and anti science. I am very uncomfortable being a part of that. It is not simply about 'day to day' teaching for me.

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NeurotrashWarrior · 01/03/2020 10:54

Much easier said than done I know. Thanks

NeurotrashWarrior · 01/03/2020 10:55

Are governors on board?

NeurotrashWarrior · 01/03/2020 10:55

Are you in contact with Safe Schools Alliance UK?

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 10:56

Everyone seems to be on board but no one dares to discuss it properly. The SLT promote it at every opportunity.

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donquixotedelamancha · 01/03/2020 10:58

I have corrected the distinction between sex and gender for a long time. I think even a very simple planting of the idea that gender is environmental and largely built of stereotypes goes a long way to inoculating children against sexism.

I don't think it's our place to weigh in too heavily on a political discussion or criticise children/parents/other teachers. Part of the difficulty with challenging nonsense has been that it's so vague and often done behind closed doors.

I would have no trouble arguing against lesson content which was factually wrong or policies which were unsafe; but I just don't see changes expressed in that clear way. It's much more 'we have always been at war with Eurasia'.

Don't leave over this, OP. Challenge the stuff which is mandatory/in writing and ignore the rest. If you don't want to stay doing nothing, then you have nothing to lose.

SnugglySnerd · 01/03/2020 10:58

I have heard absolutely no mention of it whatsoever in my school. I am always surprised by threads like this about trans ideology etc in schools. I haven't even heard the kids discussing it. I don't teach PSHE or science though.

noblegiraffe · 01/03/2020 10:58

Please consider finding another school first, before leaving the profession. We can’t afford to lose teachers!

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 11:11

I know noble and I love my job. Genuinely love it. You are so lucky Snuggly - long may that continue.

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LonginesPrime · 01/03/2020 11:12

Are governors on board?

The governors aren't going to come out as GC, are they?

Many will be from the school, from the woke local authority or from corporates being trained by Stonewall. Even the quietly GC ones will only say something once before they're shut down and come to understand the lay of the land.

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 11:29

Longines you are right. Stonewall has done its work well. It is the silencing and the fear that is upsetting me so much.

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LonginesPrime · 01/03/2020 12:18

It is the silencing and the fear that is upsetting me so much.

Yes, I can completely understand that - if you're genuinely considering leaving teaching because of it, please be aware that it's exactly the same in the corporate world, in local authorities and everywhere else.

You won't escape the notion that gender is now an indisputable fact anywhere nowadays. I left teaching before all of this and I still have the same sense of fear and powerlessness.

From a selfish perspective as a parent, I'd prefer teachers to be quietly GC and aware of safeguarding than for them to leave and make way for the woke ones who never had a chance to understand how damaging gender is as a construct before stonewall got to them.

NeurotrashWarrior · 01/03/2020 12:29

I really wouldn't be surprised if it all starts to unravel over the next two years. Kiera Bell for example. The independent reviews into treatment for children.

Parents are glad there are GC teachers. Hang on in there.

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 12:44

Thanks for understanding - I intend to try.

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HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 01/03/2020 12:54

I was teaching the menstruation cycle to a class of year 7s, one of the students tried too correct me with 'boys can have periods too, Miss'.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 01/03/2020 12:55

to damn autocorrect

Original poster
koshkatt · 01/03/2020 12:56

Yes. I have been argued with by a Y9 girl that men can give birth and when I pointed out her error was told that 'this is 2019 you know'.

Why are we doing this to kids?

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