Blog: Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

Some of the ways you noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children including books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers, and schools

• With our world being diverse in many different venues, our children are subjected to many facets of life. Let's start with families, there are two sets of families at my current job that are homosexuals. Both families are female, however there used to be a gay couple who brought their children as well. Children who grow up to be homophobic are children who were never taught about gender and sexuality or given a chance to create their own opinion. In this weeks media presentation, one example of bias was when the children were playing doctor and the girl wanted to be a doctor, but one of the children said she couldn't because only boys were doctors. This is just a small example of how children view the world around them. Another example I have, in my classroom my students love to comment on colors and how some are boy colors and some are girl colors. They say pink is for girls and blue is for boys, well when babies are born that is the common colors we see them in, blue boys and pink girls. The narrator in the media segment stated, "One of the most helpful ways to respond to a biased comments is to ask why the child thinks that" (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families.

• Children are a open book, they want to know all they can and ask lots of questions, as they should. How can children learn if we don't teach them things about life? The truth is homosexuality has become big and there are many families who are same sex partners. Children have the right to make their own choice when they get older, so it is our job to educate them on those choices, whether heterosexual or homosexual, they have the choice. It would be on the same lines of black history, taking black history out of curriculum or history books when teaching about history. Black history played and still plays a huge part in American history, children need to know how society handled biases, prejudice, and racism.

Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011).  Start seeing diversity: Gender [video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3465515_1%26url%3D

A World of Thanks!!!

I want to say thank you for helping me and assisting me through this course. I'm sure I would not have the success I have had, without all of you posting and commenting on my blog. I wish everyone much success as we are nearing the end of our journey and beginning a new one. Once again Thank You!

Week 6

 Are high-performing groups hardest to leave?

• In my opinion I think high performing groups are hard to leave. There has been a lot invested in the group from each individual, so saying good-bye is difficult. It's just like a sitcom that was on for several seasons, it's hard to say good-bye when you have worked with people for years.

Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why?

• None of the groups I have participated in were difficult for me to leave. My main objective in any group is to get the assignment done or activity done. It's a bonus if I connect with my group members, but it takes more for me to deeply like someone.

 What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced?

• There weren't any closing rituals used when leaving the group, everyone just went their own way. The closest I come to adjourning from a group is my current job, I have worked there for 7 years, when I leave it will be hard for me to.

 How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program?

• I imagine that I will say good-bye and go my separate way.

Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

• It shows honor and respect for the work they did and the long hours they spent on the project. It shows honoring each other and giving respect for each other's time.

Week 5

Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?
• Whenever I have had a disagreement with a colleague, initially I want to go to them and say some not so nice words, but before I approach them I calm down and then I talk to them calmly and resolve the issue. Most of the time it depends on the situation and if its worth disagreeing.
• I try not to have conflicts with my colleagues, because most of the time they are petty and make no sense or changes any situation. I try to always make sure I am the bigger person and apologize if there's a need for one and keep things peaceful.

Also, if appropriate, ask your colleagues for their input and advice regarding, if not specific problems, how they have learned to be more effective communicators as it relates to conflict resolution skills.

•  A colleague believes that not handling or approaching the situation is best.
• Another colleague believes that it's best to get the issue resolved before there's animosity.

WK 4 Myself as a communicator

So I asked two people to evaluate me, I can't say I was surprised by their answers because we are different people. I think it's good that all three of had different scores in at 2 areas and the same in 1 area. Before I continue about the evaluations, if you think about it, the people we hang around are a image of how we feel about ourselves and our values. All three of us had the same score in listening, two of us had the same score in verbal, and all three of us had different scores for communication. I learned that my first impressions are different for all people. I also learned that I need to be more open when meeting new people and not assume the worst.

Week 3

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
• yes


If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

•  I was recently in a relationship with this guy from Monaco, we had a difficult time communicating, not because we are from different backgrounds, but because he refused to listen to me and understand what I would say. After I realized he didn't understand how I communicated, I began cutting my sentences down to a few words, the main words in the sentence so he would understand. He also said I talked too fast, which was another reason he couldn't understand when I talked. For example, I asked him in his family are women seen and not heard? He didn't understand what I was saying, I had to change the form of my original question 3 times.
• When I talk to my co-workers I have to change my vocabulary to sound intelligent, I couldn't use street jargon or everyday verbiage. I work with foster parents, therapist, and social workers, so how I communicate is very important.

TV show

Watch the show with the sound turned off.

• What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?
• The characters appeared to have loving relationships. When they were communicating they were making eye contact. There were times when they were sitting down and the men had their arms around the woman or the woman had their hands on the man's leg. 
• What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?
• You could tell when, they were in disagreement based on how their affect. Some were rolling their eyes, frowning, giving a mean glare, or turned the other direction. At the same time when they were in agreement there was smiling, laughter, touching, and hugging.  

Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.

• What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?
• I assumed the characters were loving and had good communication skills. I also assumed the characters showed care and concern for each other. I was right on some levels and on some levels I was wrong. 
• Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?
• No, I believe they would have been about the same if I was watching a show I normally watch.