Blog #8 RI Laws and Policy/ Woke read-aloud

 

After reading through the laws and guidance surrounding transgender and nonconforming gender students in RI, I had mixed emotions about a few of the policies. On one hand, I am a firm advocate for protecting individuals against any form of discrimination. My nephew made the courageous decision to come out that he was gay during his sophomore year of high school. It was an incredibly difficult choice for him, but one that changed his life in a positive way. He had known he was gay since middle school, and the struggle caused him anxiety and depression. Thankfully, he had an extremely supportive family by his side. However, he also had to deal with hatred and name-calling. While our society has progressed in accepting these differences, it is crucial to acknowledge that, just like with any aspect of one's identity, there will always be individuals who have hatred and refuse to accept it. This is precisely why we require laws that defend against bullying and discrimination. However, I also recognize the importance of establishing boundaries.

I find myself struggling with a recurring question: How do we strike a balance between protecting the rights of transgender and nonconforming gender students while ensuring that boundaries are respected? 

 I strongly disagree with the idea of boys sharing girls' locker rooms and bathrooms, and vice versa. It's unsettling to think about a girl getting undressed, showering, and using the restroom with someone of the opposite sex, regardless of their gender identity. At some point, parents should have the right to protect the privacy of their children. If this is a big issue in schools, they should provide gender-neutral bathrooms and locker areas where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves without the discomfort of other students. Also, telling a school they are not obligated to tell a parent if a child wants to transition is so hypocritical considering schools will tell a parent anything even when the child comes from a difficult home life, and they are unsure of the consequences, but this topic is to be kept a secret tells me there is an agenda. I do not believe an adult takes it upon themselves to keep a secret from their parents. Lastly, I do not believe transgenders should be able to compete in sports of the opposite sex. It has been scientifically proven that boys/men have a physical advantage over women. 

I found the read-aloud book and the discussion about gender identity at such a young age to be disturbing. I believe children at that age are vulnerable and not yet ready to grasp complex ideas about identity and sexuality. Instead of focusing on these topics, we should prioritize addressing major issues in our education system. It's important to let children naturally discover their identities as they grow up, rather than attempting to influence them at a young age. The video I watched made it seem like every child struggles with their identity and most of the children in the book did not identify with their born gender, and that's what concerns me. I had my 11-year-old watch that video and without any opinion, or reaction from myself, she asked me, “Why would you talk to a five-year-old about that? My response was I don’t really know. Why can’t schools wait until middle/high school to bring this topic up for discussion?

I want to emphasize again that individuals should be free to be who they want to be, but there's no need to try to persuade young children to adopt personal beliefs about gender identity. It's concerning that this topic is always being pushed as a main agenda when there are so many other pressing problems in our country and our education system. Trying to make kids question who they are is simply wrong. It's important to let children grow up and figure out who they are on their own. By telling five-year-olds they do not have to relate to the gender they were born with rather they can be he, she, they, or even a tree, we're not giving them the space they need to naturally discover their identities and honestly, it is just confusing. I am 45 years old and I am still trying to understand the different gender expressions. 

 

We set these laws to protect all students not just transgender and nonconforming and yet we are just protecting one class. My daughter will not now or in the future share a bathroom or locker room with someone of the opposite sex. This may sound ignorant and many who read this may disagree with my opinion, but I stand strongly by it. I will continue to respect all individuals regardless of sex, race, social class, or beliefs but I will not go along with inappropriate policies.

 

 

 

 

https://nypost.com/2022/04/20/science-shows-transgender-education-doesnt-belong-in-schools/