To begin, the topic of this week’s discussion spurred an interest in me to really think about what it means to be controversial and why something may be considered controversial. According to dictionary.com, the definition of controversial is “of, relating to, or arousing controversy” and the definition of a controversy is “a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views”. After reading these definitions I began to think about what makes something controversial.
I am able to see where much of the controversy occurs when discussing educating our students on gay rights and gay culture. Much of the controversy lies in religion. However, I feel that there is something more to the controversy than a religious belief. I feel that people are afraid of change and acceptance. But let’s face it, as a society our population is growing and evolving by the day. The results of these changes are new differences that we must adapt to, accept, respect and teach. I feel that much of what makes something controversial is fear. For example, at one time it was controversial to see a man and woman sleeping in the same bed on TV or even to say the word pregnant (I Love Lucy), now nearly no one bats an eye when a television show displays a master bedroom with only one bed or at a lead character giving birth as the basis of an entire episode (Up All Night). Clearly, over time and through exposure the concept of a married couple sleeping in the same bed, and the thought of woman possibly becoming pregnant is far less controversial than it used to be. What used to be scary and taboo is no longer. As Kyle mentioned in his opening blog, we are seeing more and more representations of the gay community on TV as well. I celebrate this fact. I feel that by representing the gay community on TV we are welcoming the idea of change and acceptance and offering a venue for exposure to the unknown for some people. These programs are a sign of the times changing and with that said, it is a sign of the time for us as educators to recognize and incorporate these changes into our lessons.
I believe that curriculum should address controversial issues beginning at a very early age. For example, this year I have come across several meaningful learning opportunities with one of my kindergarten groups. In one of my kindergarten groups I have a student that I will call Johnnie. For Halloween, Johnnie chose to dress up as a princess. I am unsure if he wore this when he was out Trick-or-Treating, but he did wear his princess costume for the school party. Previous to Halloween I heard Johnnie discussing with other boys and girls about playing with dolls. In one instance I heard the tail end of a conversation between the kindergarten classroom teacher, Johnnie and two or three other boys and girls. The children were saying that Johnnie plays with girl toys. The classroom teacher took this as an opportunity to explain to the children that there is no such thing as girl toys or boy toys. That it is ok for boys to play with dolls and girls to play with trucks. After that very brief discussion the topic has not arisen again. At such a young age the curious (and potentially hurtful) children were able to accept what they had learned and this prevented any further hurt feelings regarding this circumstance and also subconsciously expanded their tolerance. This is not to say that their curiosity and questions will never surface again, but it was a perfect moment for learning about a controversial subject that made an impact on their young lives. No innocence was trampled on and childhood was preserved as something special. The student’s curiosity was answered, and a lesson was learned.
Johnnie’s experience is only a small example of how we, as educators, can introduce and teach our students about different lifestyles they may not be familiar with. And to also include the boys and girls who come from families with two moms or two dads, or students who practice “non-traditional” lifestyles themselves. By introducing the proper guidance, lessons and tools from an early age we can help promote tolerance and hopefully diminish the amount of bullying and in turn save lives. As stated in the article In Efforts to End Bullying, Some See Agenda, “Many educators and rights advocates say that official prohibitions of slurs and taunts are most effective when combined with frank discussions, from kindergarten on, about diverse families and sexuality.”
However, even though I am all for addressing controversial subjects through the curriculum, I do not feel that I am prepared to do so. I feel that I would benefit from attending workshops that address the issue of how to teach controversial topics, and how to respond to parents when I am questioned. There is much to be learned in the classroom about controversial topics in order to expand our students mind and increase their levels of tolerance, but this can be accomplished only after the educators are taught how to do so properly.
Resources:
This article, entitled 10 TV Shows That Pushed The Envelop, lists 10 shows that incorporated seemingly controversial aspects in their program (e.g. the first biracial kiss between characters)
This blog, entitled Oh No They Didn’t!, discusses the evolution of TV love, relationships and romance from the 1950s through the 2000s and how our acceptance has changed throughout the years.
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/28782829.html
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/28782829.html
This website is a resource to help teach and incorporate tolerance into our curriculum. There are many different areas where tolerance can be taught- Size, weight, hair, race, linguistics, religion etc- This website offers different ideas and lessons to be used in the classroom.
This parenting article discusses the importance of fostering your child’s tolerance for others. It even describes a similar circumstance regarding boy’s toys and girl’s toys that I described early in this blog.
This website is a resource for tolerance lesson plans and activities. In addition to tolerance lesson plans and activities there is also an intolerance lesson plan. I thought that this was an interesting concept. The intolerance lesson plan shows how destructive it can be to be intolerant.
Hi Becky,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post as I found that you and I shared similar opinions with one another concerning this cycle’s focus. You quoted the definition of controversy, “discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views,” something that speaks true to the topic addressed in this cycle’s focus. Homosexuality has been a life style that has been around for as long as time; however, because of religious beliefs and the majority of the population, homosexuality has been ignored or condemned. I too feel that much of the issues with homosexuality being spoken as a norm and not abnormal is because people are afraid of change, and would much rather stay in a place that is comfortable and known. Nonetheless, as people continue to keep their close-minded opinions sexual orientation, men and women, boys and girls are being bullied, harassed, and attempting or committing suicide because they do not fit the spectrum of what is normal and can’t take the hatred and not being accepted.
I felt your argument of fear being a driving force for why issues are controversial is also a very true statement. You brought up an excellent example of it once being controversial for a man and woman to sleep in the same bed. Fast forward 50-60 years, TV audience’s see far more than men and women sleeping in the same bed. In reference to pregnancy being a taboo word, not only is it common to see pregnant women on TV, but now teen mothers are becoming a popular topic for TV shows and talk shows. While one can argue that teen pregnancy and sex on TV is still controversial to some, it is not nearly as controversial as it once was. Homosexuality is becoming another area that television is highlighting in a positive way to gain positive exposure to its viewers. Look at Ellen DeGeneres for example. She came out on her television show in the mid 90’s and for a long time, people didn’t know how to react with her coming out on TV. Many were shocked, many were appalled but with time and acceptance, Ellen now has one of the most popular talk shows in the world!
As I had stated in my blog, there was a time where I thought that homosexuality just became a fad and was wrong and not that it was something that had been around for as long as time. Much of this naïve mentality could have been because I grew up in a small town and that the curriculum at my school never addressed this topic. Obviously it was controversial and being that my hometown was and still is very conservative, it was not going to happen. In my opinion and as stated in the bullying article, had I learned about homosexuality at an early age and was taught about it as a different lifestyle, perhaps my perception of homosexuality wouldn’t have been so skewed for years prior to college.
There will always be controversies, specifically homosexuality. Until society is willing to accept homosexuality as a lifestyle and not as a choice, we as a society will continue to live in this gray area that cannot move forward. People don’t have to agree with this lifestyle, but in my opinion, they need to respect it and accept it. With continuous awarenessand positive perceptions of homosexuality being seen on TV and movies and in books, hopefully one day homosexuality will not be seen as controversial, but rather as normal.
Hi Becky,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post!
It was fun to read about TV, and more broadly, to think about the role TV has played in shaping (reflecting?) social change and social values. I think TV has never been better--the number of shows that I am into, and that really push me and excite me, it's amazing. This is very much a curriculum in its own right, and certainly many of these shows could also be used as curriculum materials in the schools (there was a big buzz about colleges teaching courses around "The Wire" for a while, but I couldn't think of a better way to enter into a high school government or sociology class).
Your story about Johnnie and the tactful way the teacher intervened was amazing and inspiring. The open-mindedness of kids, when adults are around to help them open up their minds, never ceases to amaze me. In my own research, I've found that it's just these type of moments, around Halloween parties and informal discussions, that can make or break kids and how they feel about themselves, their schools, even their country. The teacher in your anecdote should be praised for her insight and sense of what is important--at least that is my view.
I understand your own sense of needing more training. But I also want to encourage you to rely upon your own good sense. I'm sure you've seen models of good parenting, and in some ways, it's the tact and point of view of the parent we are after here. I'm not saying we should try to parent other people's kids (no one really wants that), but I am saying we should act in ways that would make the parents comfortable that their child's best interest--the whole child, their emotions as well as intellect--are being well served.
As an art teacher, your visual curriculum is actually full of sexuality--one look at Michelangelo and you can see there is something there that calls out for questioning and exploring. Of course, I am not saying you should do this with kindergartners. To me, the point is to be open to the questions kids have, and to be ready to respond when the time is ripe. The history of art is full of examples of people and work that speak to the importance of "outsiders" and how they can enrich the vision and views of a society.
Thanks for your work!!!
Kyle