#4: Gender and Sexual Orientation

A common issue when it comes to the role of gender in the classroom is gender presence in certain fields--such as women in math and science. While gender inequality is not obviously a prevalent issue in America today, severely outnumbered environments can produce such an atmosphere. As Dr. Sally Hicks, a physics professor at the University of Dallas, has explained to female students, gender is certainly still a component when choosing grad schools because not all schools are welcoming to women in the field. Along the same lines, men can receive negative feedback for choosing fields where they are not commonly thought to belong. The difference is that women tend to have to fight to prove that they are capable, that they are smart enough and can handle the jobs men can while men receive negative feedback for choosing fields that seem below them as "women's work". If a man says he wants to be a nurse, people think

, "Why not a doctor?". If a woman says she wants to be a doctor, people think, "Is she smart enough to be my doctor?" While society has come a long way in gender expectations, there are still certain stigmas that must be dealt with.

Homosexuality is a continually changing issue in America. While we have come great lengths since Harvey Milk and there are laws protecting the rights of gays, there are still many societal issues. The degree to which they can be managed is a much more difficult issue-- consider neo-nazis. Most people in America don't argue against gays and lesbians having jobs or civil unions, but when the questions of adoption and marriage arise another debate rises altogether. While it seems to many that gay parents are better than no parents and thus there should not be a prejudice against gays adopting, there are still many who argue that it is not proper for the formation of a child to be raised in such an environment. Even more of an issue is that of gay marriage, as many believe that the sanctity of marriage should be protected and that gays have the rights to civil unions already. These issues are all important to keep in mind in the classroom, to be sensitive to all views and be careful not to ostracize students in any way. As teachers, we may not always know if a child in the room is being raised by two lesbian mothers so it is important to always teach children to be accepting of people with different views.