The first part about this chapter
that really grabbed my attention is on page 179 when Nakkula states, “All too
frequently we hear stories of sexual trauma that shatter the innocence of
childhood.” This statement is very true
in my experience of working with the girls who are in the group home. Students come in with extensive sexual
histories that are some of the saddest and most disturbing stories I have ever
heard. Due to the trusting relationship
I have formed with many of my students, some choose to share personal stories
with me. After reading this chapter I
realize that these students are trying to make sense of “roughly knotted or merely
clumped together (177)” experiences they have been through. Out of all of the lenses that we have
explored so far, this is probably the area that I find most difficult to
discuss with my students.
I think that part of the
difficulties that I find are not having a curriculum or a guide as to how to
talk to my students about these topics.
Sexual reproduction is briefly addressed in one of the chapters in the
Health book and in the Biology book that we use, but that is the extent. This chapter discussed Michelle Fine’s
suggestion of using meaning-based discussions based around “violence,
victimization, and individual morality(188)” and this made a lot of sense to
me. Due to the fact that many of the students
in my classroom are “low-income girls of color” (189), I was able to look at
this topic as having a different level of significance. Now, I feel like I have a better
understanding of my role as an educator when it comes to this “lens” in my
classroom.
After reading this chapter I decided to look online for some resources that are available for teachers on the topic of sex education or how to address these topics in the classroom. As I was looking I found the site, For teens, by teens that I thought discussed many topics that my students might be able to relate to. This site features a blog, polls, forums, articles, and an "Action Center" that contains a variety of information for students. This seemed like a site that many of my students would benefit from and enjoy accessing for important information.
I guess the fact that my school blocks that website from me accessing it tells all you need to know about sex ed in public schools. Oh well, nice resource (potentially).
ReplyDeleteCorey- Do you think your administration/ parents/ students/ teachers would be open to a revised sex ed program?
Delete"Out of all of the lenses that we have explored so far, this is probably the area that I find most difficult to discuss with my students. "
ReplyDelete--I agree. I wonder if creating a safe space, and being available to listen is enough.