The biggest thing that I notice in children media is that typically books, movies, toys, stores promote male/ female relationships. While this may not scream a message of homophobia it does reinforce the idea that their are male/female parents. So, if a child who did have two moms or two dads it may be confusing, when we look at the Cycle of Socialization, because there is the idea of how families are suppose to look in books. One really simple example is a recent book that I read in my classroom. It is called the "Pout Pout Fish" it is not that it has an underlying message of homophobia but it does depict a male/female relationship. The blue fish is very pouty and then eventually this pink fish comes gives him a kiss and he becomes a kiss kiss fish. I use the book as a social story for appropriate touching and how we can help people would seem sad. Something so simple obviously shows male/female relationship in "normal" therefore reinforcing the Cycle of Socialization.
My response to anybody who felt that early childhood centers or to parent and family members who informed me you should avoid people who are homosexual or transgender would be... There are many different types of people in this world, that all contribute differently to our society. This is what makes our country so special and so unique. Many children comes from homes that are very different from our own. They could be living in poverty, have one parent, two moms or two dads or they could be living with their grandparents. In early childhood settings it is our job to help create confident students who are connected to their own culture. Culture is different for everyone and by including all different types of families and talking about our different as people I can help create an environment where everyone is included because of their differences and how they contribute to our classroom/society.
I have heard homophobic terms... a lot. My family had a friend who was gay who we knew our entire lives. Homophobic terms were NOT allowed in our family and our parents did a great job of informing us why. However, I would have never considered "tom boy" as a homophobic term and I considered myself a "tom boy" growing up because I enjoyed playing with GI Joe's and X-men and my brothers. Now that I read it on the paper and reflect on why I called myself that I can see where it comes from but something that I had never thought of.
I guess I would like more ideas on how to approach people/situations where people do not agree with homosexuality. I do and I always have agreed with homosexuality and to me it seems like all families are different and we must support all different backgrounds. So, how would you approach people who come to you, as a teacher, to talk about a child who has two of the same sexed parents?
Then again... maybe I could just show them this video :)
http://youtu.be/yMLZO-sObzQ
Resources
Harro, B. (2010). The cycle of socialization. In M. Adams, W. Blumenfeld, C. Castaneda, H. W. Hackman, M. L. Peters, & X. Zuniga (Eds.), Readings for diversity and social justice (Figure 6.1 on p. 46, 2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Pelo, A. (Ed.). (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.
