According to Sue (2010) no individual born or raised
in a society is immune from acquiring the racial, gender and sexual orientation
biases of that society. More so, biases
are perpetuated through assimilation to the attitudes of the dominant culture
as well as the mass media (Teaching Tolerance, n.d.). Therefore, it is imperative that early
childhood centers teach children tolerance and acceptance.
One way in which such biases are permeated is
through young children’s books, toys, movies.
Christmas is quickly approaching and as I look at the toy commercials
almost every toy is specifically marked to boys or girls. Looking at a young
child’s book; The Princess and the Frog: Tiana’s Cookbook, recipes for kids I realized
that it is gender bias. Although it
begins with an introduction which speaks of a father cooking, most of the pages
are covered with pretty girls in tiaras.
This to me sends the message that a girl’s job is in the kitchen. Even the title and the cover (decorations)
shouts out “this book is for girls”.
Likewise, looking at the children’s movie Toy Story 3, portrays
heterosexuals as it depicts Barbie and Ken.
If a parent/family member was to inform me that they
did not want anyone who is perceived or self- reported homosexual or
transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child.,
I would first inform them that LGBTs are human beings who possess the all the
positive qualities that it is assumed heterosexuals possess. Therefore, they should be given the same
attitudes and privileges that heterosexual receive. Additionally, I would inform them that a
person’s anatomy nor their sexual orientation has any bearing on how well they
can do their job. Essentially nothing
makes a person gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, neither does it have
bearing on their mental and or emotional stability (Advocate for Youth, n.d.).
References
Advocates for Youth (n.d.). Frequently
Asked Questions about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Retrieved
from: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/topics-issues/glbtq/606?task=view
Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions
in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. New York, NY: Wiley
Teaching Tolerance. (n.d.). Test
yourself for hidden bias. Retrieved from http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias
