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Children, transgender youth andnon binary gender expression in theschool environment:Understanding to better supportTraining – Gender Creative Kids CanadaSchool nameLogo
Setting the stage The Whittington Family: Ryland’s Story
DEFINITIONS ANDBASIC CONCEPTSWHAT IS TRANSIDENTITY?
ForensicCategoryIndividualexperience of genderExternalization ofgender identityIntimate relationshipswith othersManTransgenderIntersexWoman Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Forensic categorySex Chromosomes: XX, XY, XO, XXY, XXXSex Glands: ovaries, testiclesExternal genitalia:penis, scrotum, clitoris, vulvaHormones: estrogen,progesterone, testosteroneBinary Categorization: passport,driver’s licence, Medicare card, permanentcode, etc. Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
ForensicCategoryIndividualexperience of genderManMan IntersexNon- /AMAB)Externalization ofgender identityIntimate relationshipswith others
Individual experience of genderRefers to the identity, not the sex of anindividualRefers to the individual experience of thepersonSet from childhood, but may vary during one’slifeSome cultures conceive gender identity on ascale rather than binary(bispirituality in some indigenous cultures) Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Individualexperience of genderExternalization ofgender ningGender creative/gender nousWomanWomanFemininityForensicCategoryIntimate relationshipswith others Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Externalization of gender identityWay of expressing gender identity to othersGender expression of a person is often based on"man - woman" (binary pattern)Most conform to the binary pattern, but some do notsee themselves as being so stereotypically male orfemale, but possibly a combination of both orneither Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
ForensicCategoryIndividualexperience of genderExternalization ofgender identityIntimate relationshipswith rans*/QuestioningGender creative/gender fluidHomosexualityGay/LesbianIntersexNon- exual y Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Intimate relationships with othersEmotional and / or sexual attraction toindividuals of a different gender, of the samegender or several gendersSexual orientation and attraction may alsochange during one's life Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
INSTEADOF SEEING THESE VARIOUSCOMPONENTS AS BEING DICHOTOMOUS(MAN OR WOMAN, FEMININE OR MASCULINE,HETEROSEXUAL OR HOMOSEXUAL), IT IS MOREINCLUSIVE TO VIEW THEM ON ACONTINUUM, WHERE ALL VARIATIONSAREPOSSIBLE,CELEBRATED.ACCEPTEDAND
Is gender non-conformity normal?Several studies recognize that gender nonconformity is not problematic as such, but thatproblems are caused by a lack of acceptance fromsociety in general(Isay, 1997, Ghosh, 2012, Saketopoulou, 2011)« being transgender [ ] or independent ingender identity is a question of diversity, and nota mental illness »(World Professional Association for Transgender Health, 2011)DSM5: depathologization since 2013 Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Gender variance amongst children :statistical findingsChildren explore gender up to age 6 to 7[Ehrensaft, 2011]More precisely, a new study reveals that 2.7% ofyouth identify as trans and/or gender nonconforming [Riley & al, 2018] Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
The asserted identity of a childwho has transitioned is asanchored as a cisgender child’sidentity(Olson, Key & Eaton; 2015)Each has the right to self determination oftheir gender identity Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
When a child expressesthe need to transition ‘CONSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE,INSISTENCE’[American Psychological Association] Social transition Legal transition Medical transition Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
GENDER DIVERSITY IN SCHOOLS:SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR TRANSGENDERAND GENDER VARIANT CHILDRENAND YOUTH
What we know Victims of psychological distressSome don’t feel supported at schoolThey are more at risk of developing addiction toalcohol or other drugsThey are 7 times more likely to attempt suicidein comparison to cisgender youth77% have contemplated suicide; 43% attempted.Among them, 78% were under 24 years old and36% were under 15 years old[Bauer & al; 2013] Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
What we know (continued)One of the most vulnerable populations; thesechildren and youth face disproportionatedifficulties as opposed to children their ageMore susceptible to encounter situations ofdiscrimination, bullying/cyberbullying andviolenceOverly represented in homeless populations Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
How gender variance is likely to beexperienced at school Physical and verbal confrontationsSocial and cultural exclusionLack of friendsBeing mocked dailyFeelings of fear, desperation and isolationLower academic resultsSchool drop out (15%) (Grant & coll. 2011) or no longer planning onfurthering their educationAvoiding places that are "at risk" (bathrooms and locker rooms)because these places are not well supervised Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Resilience factors for trans &non binary youthAccess to resources and school staff (or other) thatare supportive and that promote a transaffirmativeapproach (Pullen Sansfaçon & coll., 2018)Attitude of school administration;Role of teachers and school staff;Talking about transidentity and gender creativity in class(Veale & al., 2015)Access to health care and to communityorganizations (Pullen Sansfaçon & coll., 2018) Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Resilience factors for trans & nonbinary youth (continued)Access to a solid support systemCircle of friendsStrong family support decreases suicide attemptsamong trans youth by 93% (Travers & al., 2012)However, parents must not only ‘accept’ or ‘tolerate’ :they have to be ‘engaged’ and not ‘neutral’ about their child’ssituation (Pullen Sansfaçon & coll., 2018) Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR GENDERDIVERSITY AT SCHOOL!
How to support transgender andnon-binary children and youthLearn their preferences (‘out’ or not, pronouns, first name),respect them and bring awareness to othersEncourage them to use the bathroom of theirchoiceIdentify a safe, reliable adulte as a go-to personPromote communicationbetween the parents, thechild and the establishmentto make the child feel safe Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
How to support transgender andnon-binary children and youth(continued)Organize social activities for LGBT people, set up acommittee that includes allies.Modify the school’s moto/policies in order toexplicitly take into account the needs of thesechildren and youthEnsure student files comply with legal practicesRespect privacy of the person, whether they be ‘out’or ‘stealth’ Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Practical suggestionsDivide groups alphabetically rather than by genderUse a more inclusive vocabularyAvoid gender stereotypes(what is for a girl or a boy? as long as it is suitable for a child, it is forevery child)Talk about transphobia, homophobia, sexism, discussdifferent daily issues Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
Non-sexist youth literatureIT IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO RAISE AWARENESSABOUT GENDER DIVERSITY! Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
SOME RESOURCESGender Creative Kids Canada:gendercreativekids.caEhrensaft, D. (2011)Gender Born, GenderMade: Raising HealthyGender-NonconformingChildrenBrill et Pepper(2008) TheTransgenderChildMeyer et PullenSansfaçon (2014)Supportingtransgender andgender creativeyouth. Peter Lang.New YorkMatérielpédagogique,répertorié parcycle d’étude,visant à célébrerla es/ Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
CREATED FOR ‘THE YOU INSIDE’ PROJECT, THIS VIDEOILLUSTRATES THE STORY OF SAM. THE GOAL OF THIS CLIPIS TO DEVELOP EMPATHY TOWARD TRANSGENDER YOUTH. Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
If you retain just one thing Adopting a TRANS-AFFIRMATIVE APPROACH means supportingthe development of the child’s gender identity instead ofattempting to modify it.RESPECTPRONOUN AND NAMEWASHROOM AND LOCKER ROOMONE’S PRIVACYONE’S CONFIDENTIALITY Gender Creative Kids Canada, 2018
THANK YOU!QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
Children, transgender youth and non binary gender expression in the school environment: Understanding to better support Training -Gender Creative Kids Canada
