Diversity and Discrimination: A Classroom Perspective

Diversity is the distinguishing characteristics of an individual that could lead to discrimination due to difference. Discrimination is demonstrated in classroom settings along with various social settings, as an educator it is important to understand these characteristics to prevent discrimination. Children can be disadvantaged and targeted due to different ideas and concepts of diversity; being conveyed in the media lately is gender and sexuality. Sexuality and gender intertwine but are two separate concepts; gender is what is determined to be masculine or feminine and what is related to being a boy or a girl. Sexuality is linked to your inner feelings towards the people around you, if you are homosexual or heterosexual. It is highly important

Some society members have been able to write about their previous experiences with children who display sexuality different to society’s expectations. “Research has demonstrated how classroom discussions about gender constructions and using literature as a vehicle for deconstructing stereotypes can have a significant impact on educational engagement and learning” (National Union of Teachers, 2013. P. 3). As seen recently in the media when Cheryl Kilodavis came forward about her son who dresses up in princess attire. There was a lot of controversy about why she is letting her son dress in inappropriate clothing for his gender, she further went onto write a book called “My Princess Boy”. This book caused uproar, as society isn’t use to seeing boys as princess’ and expressing themselves through wearing dresses. Some even went, as far to try and ban the book, Texas demanded, “’My Princess Boy’ be either banned from the Hood County Library or moved out of the children 's section” (Schaub, 2015). As this picture book challenges gender stereotypes it acts as a positive role model for children as they seek to establish their own individual identities (National Union of Teachers, 2014. P. 3). Not everyone believes that is provides a positive outlook on a child’s life, some claim that it endorses the gay lifestyle along with encouraging perversion (Schaub, 2015). Literature pieces, like “My Princess Boy”, are openly allowing children to read and change their own view on gender and sexuality. As an educator it is important that you teach your students to not see “the equity issues within gender and sexuality” (Blaise, M. & Andrew, Y, 2005. P. 50) and allow them to openly express themselves individually as demonstrated in these picture