EDU330-EssayDraft
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School
Grand Canyon University *
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Course
330-5020
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by JusticeMoonBuffalo36
The controversial topic chosen for this essay is that of bathrooms for transgender students. The topic of gender identity, the cultural identifier for this issue, has quickly become a
heavy topic in schools, most notably because of the cultural discourse currently taking place. Whether one agrees with this or not, gender identity is a very real issue plaguing young people across the nation. It demands the attention of teachers, administrators, parents, and every individual involved within the education system. These are real people wrestling with real issues. That alone should be reason enough to engage in the conversation, offer solutions that can help the needs of transgender students without also infringing on the needs of non-
transgender students.
The supporting side of this issue feels that the affirmation of student identity is essential
for academics and that every school should provide accommodations for transgender students. In June of 1972, President Nixon signed into law Title IX which protects people from discrimination based on sex within the education system, including school programs and activities. While transgenderism was not included in the creation of Title IX, eventually its definition of sex, and thus also gender, would come to expand with the inclusion of transgenderism. The case of Gloucester County School Board v. G. G. in June of 2015 would see that expansion in definition come to fruition. In this case, a student was denied the use of a restroom of the opposite sex in which the student identified. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of protection under Title IX. The year following, in May 2016, President Obama released a “Dear
Colleague” directive through the Department of Education that would use the expansion of Title IX’s definition of sex and gender. It demanded all schools that receive federal funding to comply with the allowance of bathroom, locker room, and public space usage to those who
identify as the opposite sex. It was rescinded the following year under the Trump administration. The battle for transgender accommodations within schools has raged on since these events.
The opposing side of this issue pushes back on the affirmation of transgenderism. The opposition demands that transgender accommodations should be withheld from public places as it affirms confusion, especially amongst young people. One major push back comes from the idea that expanding the definition of gender within Title IX to include transgenderism creates discrimination towards non-transgender individuals. The argument made is that their right to safe and private sex-segregated spaces, like bathrooms and locker rooms, as well as sex-
segregated sports or activities are pushed aside to accommodate a small percentage of individuals. North Carolina’s HB2, known as the “Bathroom Bill”, sought to deny transgender individuals from the use of bathrooms that did not align with the sex listed on their birth certificate. This bill was approved on May 23, 2016, but was later repealed in June 2017 (the same month President Trump rescinded the “Dear Colleague” letter). Unfortunately, there have
been numerous instances in which individuals claiming transgenderism have used this cultural phenomenon to exercise their desire to harm others of the opposite sex. This, yet another opposition defense.
The issue of gender has infiltrated schools across the nation on almost every front. From
preferred pronouns used to affirm students’ identities to bathroom usage according to the student’s identity to competing in sports of the opposite sex. The K-12 education system is not without avoidance of the gender discourse dominating cultural and political spheres. As educators, it is important to be knowledgeable about these issues because students bring the
issues they face outside of school into the classroom. These issues can affect the behavior, learning capabilities, or overall wellbeing of students within the school setting. It is not the responsibility of educators to discuss nor navigate the issue of sexuality with students; however, it is the responsibility of the teacher to create a classroom environment that is safe and welcoming to all students. If these cultural and political battles rule the school system instead of focusing on the quality of education students are receiving, teachers will continue to be in the middle of cultural and political spheres. These battles certainly play a role in the teacher shortage that the nation continues to experience.
As for this issue specifically, a solution to help aide in the controversy of bathrooms is to
create single-stall, unisex bathrooms available just as prominently as sex-segregated bathrooms. While this may not completely solve the issue, it can effectively alleviate the pressure and anxiety for both transgender students and cis-normative students. Alleviating some pressure and anxiety in this manner could help positively raise behavioral and academic output and allow teachers to focus on educating instead of being caught in a cultural and behavioral battle.
While my beliefs on the subject certainly fall on the opposing side of this debate, I certainly do not believe it should dictate how I treat students that believe differently than I. However, my role as an educator is to educate students regardless of beliefs, backgrounds, or identities. My role as a believer in Christ is to see each human being as a creation of God and treat them accordingly, with respect, love, and compassion. While these beliefs do not negate the Christian’s job of speaking truth in love nor bowing to the masses, my chief goal as educator
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is to steward my classroom well and provide a safe environment that fosters a love of learning and creativity.