How homophobia hurts children : nurturing diversity at home, at school, and in the community
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
How homophobia hurts children : nurturing diversity at home, at school, and in the community
(Haworth gay & lesbian studies)
Routledge, c2002
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Note
"Transferred to digital printing 2010 by Routledge"--T.p. verso
Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Homophobia hurts kids. Explore ways to minimize that trauma!This book illustrates the ways that children growing up to be gay are harmed by homophobia before anyone, including themselves, even knows they are gay. This compelling and sympathetic volume describes many simple ways that these children can be helped to understand that they can grow up to lead normal lives, with hopes and dreams for their futures. How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home, at School, and in the Community brings home the voices of these children. They describe their experiences to show how they came to the frightening recognition that they are part of a group held in disregard by the rest of society, even sometimes by their own families.Dr. Jean M. Baker, the author of How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home, at School, and in the Community is a clinical psychologist and the mother of two gay sons. In this book she shares her experience as both psychologist and mother to show how the myths and fallacies about homosexuality have influenced parents, schools, churches, and lawmakers to send children the cruel message that if they are gay, they are not normal and will not be able to lead normal lives. In this unique volume you'll find:
a chapter on identity development, following the Eriksonian model
interviews with high school students who are self-identified as gay
firsthand descriptions of the harassment and victimization of those perceived as gay in schools
research on how victimization at school affects gay youths
a discussion of the relatively new phenomenon of gay/straight alliances (gay support groups or clubs)
a chapter on transgender identity with interviews with four transsexual persons who describe their personal childhood experiences and their transition process
The focus of How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home, at School, and in the Community, centering on the social and familial experiences of children who will grow up to be gay but have not yet come to that realization, is unique. But beyond that, this book also explains how homophobia affects the attitudes of non-gay children by leading them to believe that it is acceptable to mistreat homosexuals. Finally, specific suggestions are made for changes in parenting and changes in school/classroom practices that could help prevent the harm that is inflicted upon so many of our gay children. Everyone who comes in contact with children on their way to becoming gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender adults needs to read this book!
Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Shame Can Shatter Their Dreams
Homophobia: A Respectable Prejudice
The Gay Rights Movement
The Homosexual Debate: Pathology or Normal Variation?
Growing Up in a Homophobic Culture
What Is It Like to Grow Up Gay?
Adult Attitudes
Chapter 2. Myths and Fallacies
Myth: Homosexuality Is a Mental Illness
Myth: Homosexuality Can Be Cured
Myth: Homosexuality Is a Choice
Myth: Homosexuals Are Sexual Molesters
Myth: Homosexuals Will Convert Children to Homosexuality
Myths and Stereotypes Perpetuate Prejudice
Chapter 3. Identity Development
Erik Erikson's Stages of Child and Adolescent Development
Chapter 4. Coming Out
What Is Coming Out?
Early Childhood Experiences
Coming Out in High School
Coming-Out Models
What Do Youth Say About Coming Out?
Chapter 5. Parents and Families Coming Out
Why Should Parents Come Out?
How Do Parents React When They Discover Their Child Is Gay?
What Does Research Show?
Stages of Parental Coming Out
My Own Story
Mary Borhek's Story
Chapter 6. For All Parents
To Parents Who Don't Know Whether Their Child Is Gay
Family Reactions to Gay Children Coming Out
Comments
Chapter 7. What Happens to Gay Children at School?
Memories of Harassment and Intimidation
What Does Research Show About Harassment of Gays in Schools?
Cultural Permission for Antigay Harassment
The Hidden Gay Students
Intimidation and Harassment May Provoke Violence in Schools
Chapter 8. Students Tell Us How Schools Can Help
Actions Schools Can Take
A Gay Football Player Comes Out
Chapter 9. How Individuals Within the School System Can Help Gay Students
A Teacher's Coming-Out Story
What Else Can Teachers Do?
What Can School Counselors and School Psychologists Do?
What Can School Administrators and School Boards Do?
Chapter 10. Gay Youth Support Groups
Students Speak About the Groups
A School Nurse
An English Teacher
A Chemistry Teacher
A Librarian
Chapter 11. A School Climate Survey
Background
Why Students Did or Did Not Intervene
Why Gay Students Would or Would Not Feel Safe in School
Summary
Chapter 12. Transcending the Stigma
Are Gays and Lesbians Exceptional?
What's Good About Being Gay?
Chapter 13. Enlightened Mayor Seeks Acceptance for Gay Youths
Chapter 14. For Mental Health Professionals
Chapter 15. Legal and Social Policy Barriers and How They Affect Gay Children
The Right to Marry
Antidiscrimination Legislation
Antidiscrimination Policies in the Schools
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Gays in the Military
Archaic Sex Laws
Boy Scout Policies
Policies About AIDS
Antigay Hate Crimes
Changing Laws and Policies Can Help Our Gay Children
Chapter 16. Transgender Identity
Gender Benders
Transvestites
Androgyne
Transsexuals
Intersexed
Nature versus Nurture Revisited
Chapter 17. Personal Stories of Transsexuals Growing Up
Michael (Once Michelle)
Alexander (Once Virginia Allegra)
Mark (Once Vivian)
Jeffrey/Adrianna
Comments
Chapter 18. The Tipping Point
References
Index
by "Nielsen BookData"