Out of the three readings for this week, Anderson's Lesbian and Gay Adolescents: Social and Developmental Considerations interested me the most. Anderson talks about how many gay and lesbian students try very hard to cover up their sexuality and i agree with that. My older sister's best friend is now proud to be openly gay but you would have never he was gay when he was in high school. He dated girls, made sure to play lots of "manly" sports, and would do anything to prove that he was just a normal heterosexual guy. he always seemed depressed in high school and did not do well in school. years later when he came out as gay he was much happier and excelling in college. I truly believe that he spent so much time hiding his true self and worrying what others thought of him that he fell behind in school. I think a lot of students struggle with this.
As teachers we need to do something to help these students. I think we need to let students know that we are their to talk to and that they can trust us. We need to give our students support. If they look like they are having a bad day maybe we should take the time to ask them how their day is going or give them an opportunity to talk. If we notice they are falling behind we need to offer the help they need to get back on track. They need to know that we care and that we support them.
My two males friends from high school also felt like they had to put up the same "macho man" front. They wanted to be accepted and not harassed for who they truly are. After they came out in their late teens, they did feel better and did not have to hide. I agree that as teachers, we cannot be biased and should be accepting of all students. They should be able to feel like they can come to us for problems that they are having.
ReplyDeleteI also had a friend from high school who was gay and he seemed to struggle with it all four years. He tried so hard to cover it up so no one would treat him differently. My friends and I who knew constantly tried to remind him to embrace his sexuality and be proud. Unfortunately, teachers were not a support system about this topic since my friends and I attended a Catholic high school. It was just something students could not easily approach teachers or even guidance counselors. It just seemed liked it was not talked about. I completely agree that teachers nowadays need to be able to make themselves available to help students who are struggling with their sexual identity.
ReplyDeleteI know a girl who is a lesbian. She hid is and denied it all through high school and into her first years at college. She has not officially come out and said anything but everyone around her knows. She too put up a front much like your friend. She was a star athlete and accelled in school yet was never able to admit who she really was. I agree it is important to keep in mind while teaching.
ReplyDeleteI think your friends high school experience is all too common. Many kids do not feel comfortable enough in their school to reveal or maybe even acknowledge their sexuality. Covering up their sexuality can take a lot out of them and lead to depression. I agree as teachers we need to make ourselves available to students so they can share anything with us because they may have no one else they feel comfortable sharing with. Like Arthur Lipkin said we need to make our classroom a safe place for all people. Thanks for sharing!
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