Five reasons we need to consider gender and diversity in our education systems
- Student Safety
Many incidents of bullying and harassment are gendered in nature; they isolate and target individuals who do not conform to dominant notions of masculinity and femininity.
- School Culture
The silencing and marginalization of students and their families who are, or who are perceived to be, gender and/or sexually diverse tells community members that they are not welcomed or valued.
- Student Physical and Emotional Health
Feeling ostracized and isolated in schools has long-term negative impacts on one’s physical and emotional well-being. When students feel threatened, they may try to escape these negative environments through unhealthy behaviors.
- Student Engagement and Academic Success
Students who attend schools where they feel safe and welcomed while experiencing a less sexually prejudiced environment are more likely to attend school, learn and succeed.
- Diversity and Equity
Provincial curricula are designed to prepare students to become engaged citizens and to develop social responsibility. To live in a society that values all people and where every child has an opportunity for success requires finding ways to teach inclusively about the “hidden and marginalized experiences as well. (Meyer 2010)