Our society and what we accept is very different than what
was accepted just a few years ago. Another aspect playing a large role in how I
see things is from living in the south. The south is largely considered
conservative and as a result those who go against the normal are seen as
different and many times are not accepted by society. For me, I was born as a
female and have identified as a female ever since. As a result, I have been on
the privileged or powered side of the gender dichotomy. While I have been on
one side of this dichotomy, I do not have a problem or look differently on
those who do not identify with the gender they were born as. I think that you
should have the ability or opportunity to choose and live in a way that you
want to and the way that they feel the most comfortable. I do not believe that
I would ever identify with the opposite gender, but I support those who do as
that is their choice and it is how they feel and see themselves.
I have never had someone in a position of influence over or
around me that I look up to that has been born as one gender but identified as
another. Growing up, this was never something that was discussed in my family
or something that was a topic of discussion. As a result, I think that I could
be very closed off to those who are different than me, but I have chosen to be
different than those in my family. I also know that the introductory education
classes have also opened my eyes to many different things, including gender
identity. I know that it is important to be open to all of these different
things, as I will have many different students who will be dealing with many of
these and I will be able to help them and grow them into the best person they
can be.
Both girls and boys can identify as the opposite sex. Though,
I think it is harder for guys to identify as a girl, than for girls to identify
as a boy. I think it is easier for girls to identify as a boy, because even
from a young age, many girls are seen as tomboys or more boyish than other
girls. For many boys, if they identify as a girl, they are seen as not enough
or not a man. I will have boy and girl students that will struggle with gender
identity and I look forward to helping to grow them into the best person they
can be.
Haley,
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I really enjoyed reading your post. I think we share a lot of the same views concerning this topic and we grew up in similar environments. I, too, had never really given the topic of gender identity much thought until I began taking the introductory education classes. I have enjoyed gaining an awareness and becoming more knowledgeable about such topics. It is important for us, not only as members of society, but also as future educators, to be accepting of all people and to treat all students with equality.
I completely agree with you! Coming from the same area i feel like we have had close to the same upbringing but I feel like we are not letting the souths conservative ways get in the way of having an open mind. I also agree with you when you say that the intro education classes have helped. I felt very open minded before but these classes have shown me a side that i have never thought about and I think will definitely help me in the long run.
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