10 Comments
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Lisa's avatar

This is so powerful. It should be published in every major newspaper's Oped section.

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Annie's avatar

And required reading in every teacher training program.

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Lisa's avatar

YES

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Yvette N's avatar

The kids need you, for sure. They need a counterbalance to Queer Theory for kids, presented as fact to those who can't discern in an environment where they are praised for accepting it and punished for rejecting it.

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Linda Grajewski's avatar

Powerful story! Love your statement, There are many loud voices in education but not many sane ones!

I am a former educator taught HS, College, Hospital and became a mental health specialist teaching family support groups and individuals.

I am retired and this is worse than lobotomies and shock therapy!

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Mollie Kaye's avatar

I’m planning to run for school board in my district… any chance you’d be willing to help advise me on how I can better explain the harms of exposing kids to these destabilizing ideas? I’m “just a parent” and need educators to lend their weight to my message. This conversation needs to happen on a much larger scale.

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Ovah Reese's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for your courage.

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for the kids's avatar

I have no use for gender identity...

There are average male and female behaviors in many societies. People can be like the ones for their sex, different, sane for a few, whatever.

Why is it important in any way which stereotype or norm a person is closest to (and there are several facets, it's not one line!)? Why does anyone have to ask which group of stereotypes they like best for themselves? All the time? Who cares??

If you are a feminine boy or masculine girl..

or just outside the box...you know! Why say this means anything besides personality preferences? We can just stop comparing people to stereotypes all the time in a formal manner. Kindergarteners....? Why are we teaching them stereotypes are important?!!

It's an important thing to some people, being this way, good for them, but we don't

need to keep putting kids or anyone in boxes based on stereotypes....no need to have them agonize about it or be cheered or whatever, let them grow!

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Mollie Kaye's avatar

Thank you for writing this. It sounds a lot like my own view of the educational landscape, viewing it as a parent of GenZ kids. If you are networked to any other educators, administrators, school counsellors, or developmental psychologists who would be willing to help advise me as I run for school board in my district, I would appreciate it. I need people with the credentials, who are willing to be quoted on the record. More thoughtful conversations about kids’ wellbeing, and safeguarding their developing minds and bodies, must happen immediately.

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Mommom's avatar

We need more like you. Thank you.

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