Overview
Transgendered students face a number of difficulties in schools today. While gay or lesbian students may be ridiculed for their sexual orientation, transgendered individuals are seen as less mainstream, which makes them seem more foreign. As a result, they may experience more discrimination than other GLBT students. This can lead to serious problems; a study by Walls et al showed that transgendered students of both genders were at a higher risk of “cutting” or other forms of self-mutilation than other groups of students (2010). Rejection while the student is in the process of coming out to friends and family is also risky, as students who experience rejection during this critical time are at higher risk for suicide and substance abuse (Russell, 2010).
Building a support network and helping parents to become more supportive can be critical to the wellbeing of a transgendered student. Having community spaces specifically for GLBT students is a useful way to create those support networks (McGuire, 2010). It is also important to involve parents as a part of the support network. According to research by Ryan, transgendered students that come out to their parents face the risk of physically or verbal abuse, and as a result increase their risk of suicide. However, if parents are willing to talk with their children about their gender identity, as well as respecting the student’s gender identity, they can help reduce the risks facing their children (2010). It can also be helpful to discuss coping mechanisms with transgendered students. Transgendered students that are resilient typically have a self-generated definition of self, embrace their self-worth, and are aware of oppression facing them (Singh et al, 2010). As educators, it is important to be a part of the student’s positive support network. Since research shows that a positive support network has a wealth of positive benefits for transgendered students, it is imperative that teachers can help students to discover their identity, as well as connecting students with other positive elements if necessary.
My expert:
My expert is a friend of mine who recently came out as transgendered. She is currently living full time as a trans woman.
References:
McGuire, J. K., et. al., Creating Spaces to Support Transgender Youth. The Prevention Researcher v. 17 no. 4 (November 2010) p. 17-20
Russell, S. T. Contradictions and Complexities in the Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth. The Prevention Researcher v. 17 no. 4 (November 2010) p. 3-6
Ryan, C. Engaging Families to Support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: The Family Acceptance Project. The Prevention Researcher v. 17 no. 4 (November 2010) p. 11-13
Singh, A. A., et. al., Strength in the Face of Adversity: Resilience Strategies of Transgender Individuals. Journal of Counseling and Development v. 89 no. 1 (Winter 2011) p. 20-7
Walls, N. E., et. al., Correlates of Cutting Behavior among Sexual Minority Youths and Young Adults. Social Work Research v. 34 no. 4 (December 2010) p. 213-26
Comments (23)
Josh Alessio said
at 6:22 pm on Apr 3, 2011
As I read through all these marganilized groups, it has become apparent that parent support is crucial for all of these young students - transgendered included. It is so hard feeling different and alone. A support network can make all the difference in the world for a students.
Genevieve.Bennett@st.bemidjistate.edu said
at 4:25 pm on Apr 4, 2011
I look forward to hearing from your expert. My experts are a gay man and a lesbian. It will be interesting to compare and contrast their experiences.
David L Zuck said
at 9:36 pm on Apr 7, 2011
I like your visual above too, Zach.
Joshua Voller said
at 6:17 pm on Apr 4, 2011
What would be the best way to educate students on people who are transgendered? Do you think that it would be best covered in a sexual education class or combined in a science class and sexual education?
Jaime Goulet said
at 9:24 pm on Apr 6, 2011
Not in our Sex Ed classes. Sex Ed is strictly about the act - emotions, intercourse, products for protection, services available, etc.
It does not go into relationships of homosexuality or TransGender.
kevin.engel@... said
at 2:43 pm on Apr 8, 2011
Do you think health classes should talk about GLBT? Wouldn't a health class be a safe environment to discuss, and in many cases, introduce the topic to young students?
Jaime Goulet said
at 3:16 pm on Apr 19, 2011
I agree. The more information about sexuality in general that covers all bases is the best form of sex ed.
denise.larson@... said
at 6:39 pm on Apr 4, 2011
I think that people (students) who are transgendered should receive education outside of the classroom as well. If they live in a rural area, such as Alexandria, where there aren't specific services available, they should at least be meeting with a professional psychiatrist who can be there for them. And, a professional who can find resources available for this student. I read in my research on how 2/3 of all teen suicides are homosexuals. There is such a terrible stigma attached to them and such a fierce fight that they have to go through. Josh Alessio was right in that parent support is crucial. But I DO believe that these students need education OUTSIDE of the normal classroom of sex ed or health or whatever so they feel ABSOLUTELY comfortable to express themselves.
Brenda Mattei said
at 12:11 pm on Apr 5, 2011
I have had no experience with this until this year, my daughter came to me and told me that one of her friends dad is now a women. Her friend spends a lot of time at our house and she has a wonderful relationship with her dad (she still calls her dad). Where her problems stem from are her worrying about what her friends in school will say, so she has only told a few of them. The other problems are two weeks ago they were to write an essay pertaining to their dad or male figure in their life. This friend wrote about her uncle. My question is, is it inappropriate now for us to assign this sort of assignment? Do teachers need to be more careful when assigning projects that could be difficult for some students? It's not only this 13 year old but two others in this grade have lost their dads to automobile and motorcycle accidents.
Jaime Goulet said
at 9:28 pm on Apr 6, 2011
I have no experience with Transgender. I asked my Mentor about this as well, along with my Dad who has been in schools for 35 years. Neither of them have come across this topic. So, this leads me to believe that it is still "in the closet" per sae. How would we know if a student or parent of a student is a transgender unless they are showing us or telling us. Either way, support and understanding and treating them like any other student - they are expected to complete work, participate in class, etc. They may have emotional and social problems, but there again, support - listen, assist with resources, be aware of changing moods, etc.
Zach Johnson said
at 8:08 pm on Apr 7, 2011
I agree, I think it's a marginalized group within a marginalized group. A lot of the issues facing transgendered students is unique
Zach Johnson said
at 8:11 pm on Apr 7, 2011
What are some thing you already know about transgendered individuals?
Zach Johnson said
at 8:11 pm on Apr 7, 2011
What unique challenges do you think transgendered students face?
David L Zuck said
at 9:32 pm on Apr 7, 2011
Is it harder for T to stay in the closet, so to speak, than GBL? Or maybe go unnoticed as being different is a better way to put it? If so, then I would think they are an easier target for bullying in schools.
David L Zuck said
at 9:35 pm on Apr 7, 2011
Also, what are the percentages of T students compared to GBL students? Maybe their group is much smaller, and so like you say they may be a marginalized group with the marginalized group.
Zach Johnson said
at 6:08 pm on Apr 11, 2011
Well, for many transgender individuals, transitioning from one gender to the other is a goal. That doesn't seem to be something you could hide nearly as easily as who you are dating.
kevin.engel@... said
at 8:54 pm on Apr 15, 2011
Do you think discussion in a safe environment at school might encourage or allow students the comfort to come out?
Tina said
at 9:08 pm on Apr 20, 2011
I do. There's a stigma attached to it, and I think that's what makes "coming out" difficult.
Abby Larson said
at 11:58 am on Apr 16, 2011
What could teachers do to make a school experience better for transgender students?
Tina said
at 9:07 pm on Apr 20, 2011
I think awareness is a big part. Alot of people don't know what being transgendered even means, so getting more info out would be helpful
Brenda Mattei said
at 9:02 pm on Apr 16, 2011
The transgender individual that I'm aware of is now a woman. When he was a male he was married with two children. Now that his is a woman he is dating a female. Is this typical?
Richard S. Russell said
at 1:28 am on Apr 17, 2011
I've served as a TA for a ballroom-dance class at Beloit College. One of the requirements for being a TA is that you need to be able to dance either the leader's part or the follower's part,* because you need to be able to demo either one to somebody who's having difficulty learning the move. One of the joys of being able to do either part occurs when we have an open dance, and I can invite transgendered students to either lead or follow, as they wish, because I'm thrilled to be dancing at all. I was particularly tickled when one dancer wanted to switch roles with each new dance, an enjoyable experience for both of us. (We always do 2 dances in the same rhythm in a row, so we can use the 1st one to warm up.)
I'm totally biased, of course, but I think that (1) everyone should learn to dance** and (2) you don't really KNOW a dance unless you can do either part.
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*When I 1st started doing this back in the 1990s, the instructor was still using the terms "man's part" and "woman's part", but they didn't survive the end of the 20th Century.
**Yes, that includes people in wheelchairs. And if you've ever been to a big square-dance convention, you'll see them in action.
Barbara Bridges said
at 4:15 pm on Apr 28, 2011
Zach,
Your research was well synthesized and the references were well selected and credible. I can read that your guest contributed to your data set but I have no evidence here except a one sentence reference and she did not join the discussion. An opportunity lost.
1. Research your topic. 5 refs-2 hard copy 25 points
2. Synthesize 200-400 words 25 points
3. Respond to peers. 25 points
4. Introductory statement from guest. Attend 0 points
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