Youth INC’s Post

Up and out on the early flight to London this morning as later today I will be speaking to over 100 students, and their teachers, about consent ✈️ These young women are on the cusp of leaving school and entering further education, which poses unique challenges when it comes to navigating the world of relationships and consent. While there are lots of practical tips given to students around managing this transition to university, my key take away is this: ➡️ It’s impossible to navigate consent and understand what you DON’T want if you have no concept of what you DO want. If we teach women from an early age that their voices don’t matter, that what feels good for them is irrelevant, and that they have no jurisdiction over their own bodily autonomy, then true consent becomes a moot point. 🔸 Because, if something happens that they don’t feel okay with, do they even realise that it’s not okay? 🔸 That it matters if something isn’t what they want, that they don’t enjoy it or that it doesn’t feel good? 🔸 That they don’t have to do it just because their partner likes it or they think it’s what’s expected? 🔸 Do they feel able to say no and assert boundaries around their own body? 🔸 Even if they do realise that something was not okay, do they feel able to act on that? Report it? Or do they feel like it’s pointless, not worth it, or they won’t be believed? These are often not conscious thoughts, they are deeply mired and layered, buried so far down that you don’t even realise that true consent is an option for you and that pleasure and mutuality is a possibility. One of the questions I hear most frequently from women- strong, powerful, informed women- is “does this [experience] count?”. Many of us have stories like that. Sadly, the answer almost 100% of the time is ‘yes’. Consent is a far bigger conversation than what happens in one moment, one situation, one incident. If we want meaningful consent, the conversation must start far earlier and take a far different form. I’m looking forward to facilitating a conversation like that with these wonderful young women today. #consent #sexeducation #phsce #genderbasedviolence #unwomen #sexualviolence #training #education

Racial Discrimination in and out of the Classroom Author's Memo Looking at critical race theory, we come to understand the terms in which we know as voodoo or a non negotiable topic that becomes too political. In today's classroom, teachers struggle to help students engage in their learning, further, refuting to teach about our nation's history in terms of race and gender issues. #autoethnographer #autoethnographic #criticalracetheory #diversity #education #multicultural #politics

Alabama House Bill 130, also known as the 'Don't Say Gay' Extension, is a discriminatory piece of legislation. This bill would effectively ban classroom instruction or discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation in all public schools, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Currently, Alabama restricts such discussions in K-5 only. HB130 would silence these topics entirely for all public school students. When I visited Hoover High School and other high schools known for their high educational standards, I observed a diverse environment where multiple topics, ranging from Japanese flags to Spanish flags, were openly discussed. This bill, HB130, has the potential to create a slippery slope and outright ban LGBTQ+ ideology from public schools. I just don’t understand why someone would ban the history of a large group of people. Learning about LGBTQ history is important. This is deeply concerning, as it most definitely will exacerbate educational inequities and further divide outcomes, particularly for students who are unable to attend private institutions where such discussions may still occur. This bill is deeply troubling. It isolates LGBTQ+ students by silencing discussions about their identities and experiences and most importantly history. It fosters an atmosphere of exclusion and undermines a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. Schools should be places where students can learn about diversity and acceptance and the history of the United States. HB130 hinders a well-rounded education by preventing students from understanding essential aspects of human experience. Our children deserve so much better. We must stand together against this harmful bill. Read the short additional amendment: https://lnkd.in/ePWfmzeq

I am delighted to announce the publication of my latest article titled "Gender literacy through the making process: A feminist pedagogy approach" in the International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, as part of the special issue on "MakerSPACE\\SPACEmaking: Making space for bridging computing, design, and making with classrooms and common core subjects". The article presents a set of educational activities based on principles from transformative feminist pedagogy to support students' reflection upon gender stereotypes in the making process. Further, it provides guidelines for teachers to integrate these strategies into their educational practices. https://lnkd.in/dMsKXTFP

"Being part of the community, I know what it's like to not feel welcomed." Professor Gary Walker-Roberts, PhD (they/them/theirs) opens up about the personal drive behind their commitment to inclusivity in education. They're turning their experiences into actionable changes, particularly in the digital classroom where inclusivity can sometimes feel like an afterthought. In their white paper, Dr. Gary provides straightforward advice for making everyone feel welcome: "One thing that I teach first - how to implement and input your gender pronouns next to your name on Zoom so everyone can address you appropriately.” It’s a simple step, but it’s about setting the tone for respect and recognition from the get-go. Let’s get inspired by Dr. Gary's approach and push for educational environments that champion curiosity, growth, and understanding. Because when we make education inclusive, we ensure every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Read more of Dr. Gary’s white paper here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gvuMDrDb #LGBTQIAA+ #PrideMonth

⚧️ A learner is gender-less but a student body is not! 🌈 Let's reflect on 5 very doable practices as educators to make our classrooms gender inclusive! 💙 Use gender-neutral language. By addressing our students with gender-neutral terms like "students" or "friends," we create a warm and inclusive atmosphere. For example, instead of saying "boys and girls," we can say "everyone" or "folks." It may sound small but trust me on the HUGE difference it makes! 💜 Avoid stereotypes and discrimination. It is really time to stop. Let's consciously challenge stereotypes and avoid assuming roles or abilities based on gender. Why limit them? Encourage all students to explore diverse interests, talents and subjects like arts or science. Peer pressure will also gradually fade away. 💚 Eliminate appearance-based expectations. In our classroom, let us respect and embrace individuality over our personal hangups on binary of genders! For example, educational institutions should highly avoid mandating specific hairstyles or uniforms based on gender. Some schools have already begun, waiting for the rest to catch up. This allows students to express themselves authentically, whether it's through their clothing choices, hairstyles, or personal style. 💛 Foster diverse group dynamics: We could create a safe and supportive environment where students learn from one another. By intentionally forming mixed-gender groups for activities and projects, we can break down barriers and encourage collaboration. This helps students appreciate different perspectives and build empathy. 🧡 Listen and acknowledge diverse experiences: Each student's journey is unique, and the least we could do is to value their diverse experiences. We provide a safe space for open discussions and actively listen to our students. By acknowledging and validating that genders DO have different experiences, we promote understanding and create an empathetic classroom community. This Pride Month, let us be the educators we needed as we were growing up! #pridemonth #genderinclusion #genderequity #inclusiveeducation #inclusiveclassrooms #LGBTQIA+

Don't miss this insightful webinar on how gender stereotypes limit the aspirations and potential of all children from a young age. ➡️From gender reveal parties to toys and classroom dynamics, society makes assumptions about children based on gender, impacting their development and future choices. ➡️Research shows female students are discouraged from STEM fields, while male students face pressure to avoid "feminine" subjects - restricting everyone's options. Hear from gender-specialising educators, as they discuss the need for a whole-school approach to challenge these harmful stereotypes and create an inclusive environment that empowers all students to pursue their passions. 📅 23rd May 🕓 4pm - 5pm Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/e-VZEMDx

As a pre-service teacher at a local state high school, my journey has been marked by both rewarding experiences and significant challenges, particularly in managing classroom behaviour. One of the primary challenges I have encountered revolves around maintaining authority and respect in the classroom while balancing my identity as a transgender woman. The fear of being perceived as "bossy" or facing derogatory remarks related to my gender identity has influenced my approach to managing students’ behaviour. Additionally, concerns about privacy and speculation regarding my personal life have further complicated my interactions with students. Through I have come to recognise the impact of societal expectations and internalised challenges on my confidence and sense of belonging in the teaching profession. The need to reconcile my identity with professional expectations has been a main focus on this pjourney. While I could not be more grateful for the support of my supervising teacher and colleagues, I realise the importance of self-acceptance and advocacy in overcoming these challenges. Educational institutions of both secondary and higher education must prioritise creating inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and respect all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, I have not yet found any professional development programs in my higher education institution that address the unique needs of transgender and LGBTQ+ educators, offering guidance on navigating interpersonal interactions and promoting self-advocacy. For example, a behaviour management workshop that aims to provide help for LGBTQ+ teachers, or how to respond appropriately and professionally when offensive questions approached by students? Additionally, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding among students can help mitigate instances of discrimination or harassment in the classroom. My journey as a pre-service teacher has been characterised by both personal growth and professional challenges. By sharing my experiences and reflections, I hope we can have a greater understanding of the challenges faced by transgender and LGBTQ+ educators.

Statement of the Problem: It has been observed that most Basic 7 learners perpetuated stereotypical Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) roles and norms prevalent in the school and community. They expressed harmful gender stereotypes and engaged in activities that reinforced these biases. For instance, they believed boys are better at mathematics and arts, while girls excel in languages and domestic chores. These biases led to discrimination, poor academic performance, and a lack of interest in learning. The traditional teaching approach, which neglects facilitator-learner relationships, exacerbates this issue. Learners need empowerment to challenge these biases and develop GESI responsiveness. This study aims to address this problem by empowering the unique voices of Basic 7 learners to challenge GESI-related biases in their school and community through language intervention.

It's crucial for school leaders to ensure inclusive and supportive digital environments for #LGBTQI+ students. Discover ten essential questions to consider and address with the U.S. Department of Education this #DigitalSafetyMonth and #LGBTQPrideMonth: https://ow.ly/AFKx50RWiQG