Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families.

In my opinion by respecting and understanding each person’s identity, this will help educators work better towards a positive and effective relationship with children and families. I believe that there is nothing wrong with children understanding and being aware of what makes a family. Children should have the knowledge and gain the respect of difference and non traditional families, so that they will not be bias, prejudice, stereotype or have a fear of having two parents of the same sex. If children are encouraged and surrounded by a negative voice or view of same-sex partners, than this is what the children will most likely inherit. Children should not be left in the dark of reality of the real world. Children should not be put in the middle to judge or be judged, but instead be educated on the different identities and choices that we assume as we become adults and there is nothing to be ashamed of. When there is biases in gender, children can perceive gender roles due to family structure roles, employment statuses of parents and messages received in the home (Laureate Education, Inc. 2012).

If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," "gay," "homo," "sissy," "tom boy," or "lesbo" as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children? (Note: if you have not had a personal experience, ask a family member, friend, or colleague).

 

I have heard a boy child call a girl child a “tom boy”. The boys were all playing ball and climbing trees in the park. A little girl from the neighborhood went over to the boys and just joined in. They all looked at her as if she was from another world. The older boy in the crowd called the girl a “tom boy” and stated to her that “girls don’t climb trees and play ball” and to go away. The girl replied “anybody can play ball and climb a tree and they are not all boys.” The boys insisted that she go away. The little girl walked away with her head down. It was kind of sad because they were between the ages of 5 and 6. This type of view from the boys most likely came from their family structure and gender roles in their culture. Many children adapt to their family cultural tradition and some do not. Educators should educate to children that gender does not limit a person to certain activities, jobs, social events, talents, or power. Educators can share the difference and similarities and opportunities for both genders by having group sessions, explaining, photographs, games, play, motivation and encouragement (Laureate Education, Inc. 2012). As a educator we can demonstrate that everyone should be treated equally, have a fair chance at a quality education, to promote the development of the child’s self-esteem, cognitive, social and mental skills (Derman-Sparks L., & Edwards, J.O. 2010).  

Reference 

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Laureate Education, Inc. (2012). "Gender" and "Sexual Orientation". [Multimedia]. Retrieved from ttp://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6357/01/mm/sectors/index.html

 

Reflection on Communication and Collaboration

I want to thank all of my colleagues for their feedback, perspectives, honesty and collaboration. I wish everyone good luck in their career path of success with the learning, development and relationship building with children and their families. I have learned a great deal from all you and was able to reflect on what is important when it comes to communicating effectively, building a relationship, working together as team, giving respect, being self-aware, cultural aware, benefits of diversity and how to handle conflict in any situation. It was a pleasure working with all you and receiving the encouragement, motivation and passion to move on. I would like to stay in touch with all of you through email. My email is tammiemarion@bellsouth.net. I wish you all the best.

Five Stages of Team Development: Forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning

The group that was the hardest for me to leave was my team that I had trained in the emergency department. What made it so difficult and emotional was because we have always played as a team to meet our monthly and overall department goal. We joined together to help children and families in need and in distress. We all felt the effects of the parent’s pain and anxiety and came together to help ease the pain. Everyday was a new mission set out for us because we never knew what we going to get.  I led the team everyday on how to stay calm, work in a productive and fast paced environment while continuing to deliver respect and outstanding customer service.

There was really not a closing ritual but we all had breakfast, lunch and farewell party to anyone that leaves the team. However the department does choose another leader that can take on the responsibility to join a high performing group of people. I have no regrets on what I had experienced, but I believe that it was time to move on so that someone else can be successful and enjoy the strength, participation, and reward of helping a parent, family or child smile by the end of the day.

I imagine that I will adjourn the group of colleagues that I have formed while working on my master’s degree with ease and pleasure because we have all come together as a team to share ideas, give opinions and learn from each other. We all gave each other respect and understanding. Adjourning is closure but also a difficult time for departure after you have shared so much time with each other (Abudi, 2010). Adjourning is a essential stage of teamwork because it is the foundation of the beginning and end that helped contribute in bringing the team together to perform, go through the ups and down of success, demonstrating and revealing everyone’s strengths, understand, respect and work together to achieve their goals. Adjourning helps all team members involved see their purpose, explore their ideas and  at the end, to see how much of being a team can accomplish any mission or goal (Abudi, 2010). 

Reference

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

The conflict or disagreement that I have experienced was on my job with my manager. My manager would insult my work and I just started my position three months ago. My manager asked if she could speak to me, but it was not in private. My manager stated that my appeals to a insurance company was not adequate and if she was a insurance carrier that viewed my appeal that she would have threw it in the trash. My facial expression was shocking, embarrassed and hurt. I paused for a minute and then I stated to her “can I speak with you in private in regards to the issue.” When we met behind closed doors, I stated to my manager “I do not appreciate you calling me out in front of my coworkers in such a manner.” I also stated “can you show or train me in a more effective and respectful way in what verbiage should I use when sending out appeals. My manager apologized to me and stated that she did not mean to offend or disrespect me and that she would show me what verbiage to use in certain situations. The strategies that I have learned was to stay positive, when dealing with upper management do not take it personal when it comes to criticism, think before you speak, respect yourself and others, resolve conflict in a positive manner and be responsible for your own actions (NVC, 2012). These strategies are effective because there was a positive suggestion and outcome, the negative beginning of the conversation was turned around to be more effective and the tone of voice was soft and respectful. I believe that the 3 R’s of respect, responsibility and to resolve conflict was utilized in this situation. Since I was in a previous leadership role, I had the experience, professionalism and respect to know how to handle the situation in a more appropriate manner.  

Reference

The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved: July 23, 2012. The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from www.cnvc.org

Who Am I as a Communicator

The similarities in how I view myself and how other people viewed me as a communicator, is that we both viewed me as a good listener and well spoken individual. The difference in how I viewed myself and how other people viewed me as a communicator was surprising because some people viewed me as having a “lack of communication.” I was really bothered by the fact that many people viewed me as not sticking to the topic, not having all the facts and waiting until a topic is closed before speaking out. I have learned that communication is part of building a relationship and that it takes good communication skills such as being a good listener, sticking to the topic, respecting other people’s opinion and views, be careful of your choice of words, watch my tone of voice, watch verbal and non verbal communication and to be able to interpret information accurately so that you can respond appropriately and in a timely manner (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2009). All of the communication skills will help me professionally and personally by enabling me to be more clear in my responses and listen more carefully so that I can respond in a better manner, so that children and families as well as colleagues and peers would understand exactly what I am saying.

Reference

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication an introduction. Boston MA:Bedford's St. Martin’s.         

Real Communication and Diversity

When I think of what makes up culture and diversity and engage in some type communication with groups that are different from me, I see myself talking in a different manner. For example, when I am speaking with someone that has similarities with my culture, I am more comfortable and speak in a freestyle manner, but intelligent depending on what the conversation is in regard to and who I am speaking to. While I am speaking to someone that has similar groups and cultural aspects of my own, I still give the same respect and understanding as I would anyone that is different from me. When I am engaged in a conversation with someone who has different groups and cultural aspects from I see myself speaking in a more intelligent and tense manner, but I am still providing them with respect and dignity. Since I speak to cultures different from my own in a different manner, I have to get a better understanding of their beliefs, language, and what is seen as disrespectful and what is not.

I have learned that you must be mindful of the different languages, tone of voice and body language that is being perceived by the person that you are communicating to (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2009). It is important to remember to have understanding and respect as well as knowing that it is not what you say but how you say and who you say it to, in order to make sure that the information is being interpreted clearly and concisely with respect to the other person. Not everyone understands and perceives messages the same, even though you are speaking to different groups and cultures at the same time about the same thing.

Reference

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication an introduction. Boston MA: Bedford's St. Martin’s .

Communication Skills and Styles

The show that I watched without sound is “The Marriage Chronicle”on BET. This show was about marriage couples going through the changes in a relationship, but the most significant thing was their non verbal communication. The married couples in the movie stop communicating or sending unclear messages to their spouse. One spouse was expressing what they feel to their spouse, but the receiving spouse was not listening. With the sound off the married couples demonstrated communication through body language and facial expressions. The couple’s relationships were based on trust and love, but somewhere down the line as they grew, they separated by not communicating and being honest and open with each other. Their facial expressions were more of sad in some scenes, angry in others and just confused. Once I turned the sound on, I was amazed that I had interpreted the information correct. The male companion did not listen to what his wife was expressing, so he really did not know that she was opening up and telling him how she really feels. The male companion was influenced by perception of the male role, and to ignore what his wife was speaking about. When the couple went to marriage counseling, the male companion was surprised at how other people perceived what his wife was telling him (BET, 2012). 

 I learned that when being open, honest and a good listener that this help build a better understanding of communication. A key part of communicating is listening, being clear and understanding to other person (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009). This all breaks down to respecting each other, what each other has to say and their responses. If you are not an effective, understanding communicator or listener then you will not perceive the information being given correctly.  I know that  my perceptions would have been different if this show was previously viewed,  because I would be familiar with and understand exactly was is being stated and the audience the message is intended for.

 

Reference

BET. (2012). The marriage chronicle. Black Entertainment Television.

O’ Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication: An introduction. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.