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.
The materials I viewed for this assignment did not feature gay or lesbian families. Books movies, cartoons, educational programs all featured families that consist of a heterosexual mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles. While some were diverse in race, age, ableism, there were not any lesbian or gay characters depicted. The one book that did have same sex parents was
Everywhere Babies, by Susan Myers and Marla Frazee. There are babies of different races, sown with older people, male caregivers, female caregivers, alone and together, babies being cared for by those who love them.
It is important that children are able to see their family system represented in the various forms of media they are exposed to. Children enrolled in early education programs are entitled to respect for their unique characteristics, including family culture. Heterosexist language influences children’s perceptions about race, sex, language, age and ability (Sue, 2010).

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.
It is important to discuss the family’s expectations prior to enrolling a child. If a family is against program policy working with the family to better understand their specific issue is necessary in arriving at an agreeable solution. Adults who have a clear understand and knowledge of diversity are better equipped to articulate program practices to families (Edwards, 2010).
References:
Edwards, L. D.-S. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington: NAEYC.

Sue, D. W. (2010). Sexual orientation, microaggressions, and heterosexism. In Microaggressions n everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation (pp. 184-220). New York, NY: Wiley.

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