I have experienced many "isms" during my years of teaching, the only ones that resonate with me the most are LGBTism and ageism. I had a difficult time reaching out to children and families of LGBT, due to the fact that I didn't agree with their life style and I didn't want anything to do with them. I had to remind myself that their children need help and support, just like every other family. I didn't have to neglect their child(ren) because I didn't agree with their life style. The consequences that the family and child(ren) suffered, was my lack of educating and support. I wasn't open to collaborating or communicating with them family.
Ageism was more of a judgmental/stereotype I did with people/families. I would think parents or families that were young didn't know how to take care or educate their child(ren). They were young, what did they know about raising children, they are still young themselves; those were some of the thoughts going through my head. Some families would prove me right and some would prove me wrong. I had to look past the age of the family and look more into the need of their child(ren). Children don't get to choose their family (majority of the time), so I couldn't take how I felt about their family out on the child. The consequences were my lack of understanding and providing appropriate education to their child or family.
Hello Ayonie-
ReplyDeleteYou have highlighted an “ism” that I have also thought about in my years of teaching. As you listed some of your thoughts, I too have thought about some of the same ideas. How can this family provide for their children when they are figuring out life themselves? I too have been proved wrong as my experiences working with young families have been wonderful experiences. Actually, some of the parents and I have grown as friends because we can relate outside of classroom. Very good reflection Ayonie…I sometimes forget about this “ism,” but very evident in today’s society.
Thank you for sharing and being so open and honest. Yes children can't choose who their families are. Time and time again we will proven right and wrong by those we have "isms" against. That is why these are all stereotypes because they can be proven wrong. I never thought of ageism as someone being to young. Yes there are parents that are very young and in the back of your mind you think they have no business being a parent at this point and time in their life.
ReplyDeleteI too have had difficulty with families of LGBT because I didn't agree with their life styles but as a professional I had to quickly turn my thinking around and put aside my own biases because like you said their children need support as well.
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