4 Gender & Sexual Identity

Discussion Prompt: Gender Expectations

Much like race is a social construction, the ideas we have about gender are also greatly influenced by our society and culture.  Take a few minutes and brainstorm a few ideas about the expectations society has for each gender, and then post the top five items for each gender.  What are the implications of these expectations?  How do you think this makes someone feel who does not identify with gender norms?

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Discussion Prompt: Current Gender Issues

1. Locate a news article from a reputable source (NY Times, Washington Post, CNN, NPR, etc.) published in the last 12 months relating to one of the following topics:
   • Motherhood penalties faced by women in the workplace
   • Occurrence of women in high ranking positions in US (politics, business, etc.)
   • Gender bias in teaching evaluations in higher education
   • Maternity leave/coverage in the US versus other nations
   • Sexual assault occurrence for women in the US
2. Post a reply with a link to your article and a one paragraph summary of it.  Include a second paragraph of your own personal thoughts regarding the info presented in the article.

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Written Response: Reflection Paper Topic

According to Alfred Kinsey, gender identity and expression is a continuum of traits and behaviors that range from very feminine to very masculine. What are your thoughts about your own and others’ gender identity? Where do you fall along a continuum of gender identity? What people have had an influence on the development of your gender identity? How do you and your friends identify people who act like the opposite sex? Which sex suffers the most from behaving like the opposite sex? Why?

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Discussion Prompt: Sexual Identity Case Study

Review the sexual identity case study.  What are some of the pros and cons to starting this kind of organization in a high school? How do you feel about groups relating to gender and sexual orientation meeting in public schools?  How do you think other students and faculty members would respond to such a club?  What is your final answer to your student?

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Sexual Identity Case Study

You are a second year teacher at a large suburban high school. One of your best students, Gina, whom you have a strong relationship with, approaches you and confesses she, is a lesbian. She also asks you about helping her start a Gay-Straight Alliance at your high school and becoming the faculty sponsor of the organization.

You are only slightly familiar with this student organization, but you do know there was a large controversy about starting such a group at another high school in a neighboring county. Many of the religious parents strongly objected to the club, and the school board ended up deciding that only academic clubs/organizations would be allowed in that district rather than allow meetings of the Gay Straight Alliance.

In addition, you know the way most students who are “out” are treated at your high school, and you have doubts that starting such a group would only make bullying and harassment worse for students who decided to participate.

You want to support Gina, but are not sure how to proceed.

What are some of the other pros and cons for founding such an organization in a public high school?

Do you think public school is an appropriate forum for student groups relating to sexuality?

How do you think other students and faculty members would respond to such a club?

What is your final answer to Gina?

* As additional information for you, here is the Gay Straight Alliance’s mission from their website,

“Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth leadership organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and community resources through peer support, leadership development, and training. GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening, and sustaining GSAs and builds the capacity of GSAs to: (1) create safe environments in schools for students to support each other and learn about homophobia and other oppressions, (2) educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity, and sexual orientation issues, and (3) fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.”