T O P I C R E V I E W
justinbieberfan
Member # 54253
posted 10-12-2011 08:38 PM
My health teacher got around to teaching us about STD's (chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, etc.). At the end of class he said this to the girls in my class (and I quote): "Girls, just stay away from boys. They're filthy." I consider this sexist to the extreme! And just today, one of the male students in the class (who is completely ignorant anyway) actually said to me: "John, keep it in your pants." I said: "Until marriage? I'd might as well fly a plane into the (Upshur County) courthouse, and you all wouldn't even care! " What can I do to make sure that this sort of sexist behavior (especially towards me) stops entirely? Most of the kids in my class are actually pretty ignorant, if I say so myself... [ 10-12-2011, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: justinbieberfan ]
Heather
Member # 3
posted 10-12-2011 08:56 PM
I agree, that absolutely is sexist to the extreme! It's also a statement that is in no way factual about health. In other words, stepping aside from the sexism for a minute, all people carry and move bacteria around routinely, pretty much every minute of every day. So, on top of saying something sexist, that teacher has also used his position of authority to give out incorrect health information. Whether it's towards you or not, I don't think sexism or inaccurate information -- likely knowingly so if this person has any education in health -- has a place in a public classroom. Civil law strongly supports that stance, for the record. So, I think the thing to start with is this: what do you feel able to do and comfortable doing? Do you, for example, feel comfortable having a private conversation with the teacher about this, or the school principal? If not, what about asking your parents to do that? What about, like I suggested before, keeping notes with this stuff and using them to write a blog post or an op-ed letter to your local paper (I'd be so happy to help you craft it if you wanted:editing has long been a big part of my job and work). Ideally, I'd want you to feel you addressed this and ideally saw some big change and accountability, but obviously also don't want you feeling uncomfortable in ways you aren't up for.
justinbieberfan
Member # 54253
posted 10-13-2011 03:07 PM
And even today, the sexism is still rampant! Here's what all they said to me today: *Some "myths" about teen pregnancy and STD's (which I know may be false). (Found on www.stdtestexpress.com/std-myths to allow our awesome users to debunk) *Kept saying people my age are unready, unexperienced, and unprotected . I *at least* tried to tell him that actually AM a bit experienced, but he ignored me. *I can point out the 5 people who intentionally make sexist jokes towards me (I call them the 5 ignorants ) *When he talked about condoms, I kept going "no substitute for protection" and "condoms: there is no substitute" and one of the really ignorant people kept telling me "You don't need one, just keep it in your pants" and repeatedly said "keep it in" to me over and over again!!! *They kept lying about protection (such as the pill and condoms), and kept on saying "you just don't know how to use it!" to me several times. They just continue to lie and ignore the REAL facts. I'm getting really pissed about this [ 10-13-2011, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: justinbieberfan ]
Heather
Member # 3
posted 10-13-2011 04:03 PM
Well, not sure I'm following where the sexism is in all those things, but I can certainly see why you'd find all of those things objectionable and think your upset is valid. I don't know about you, but I'm not someone who sees a lot of value in just getting more and more pissed but not taking what action we can. So, per my last post, what do you want to do about this?
justinbieberfan
Member # 54253
posted 10-13-2011 05:48 PM
I definitely see ignorance in those actions in addition to sexism!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 10-14-2011 12:38 PM
Sooooo... what do you want to DO about it?
justinbieberfan
Member # 54253
posted 10-14-2011 03:43 PM
As far as that goes, I'll tell my favorite teacher all about it. Maybe that will shut them up!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 10-14-2011 04:40 PM
I'd not look at this as shutting anyone up. How about looking at it as taking a first step in getting some change to happen, eh? But I agree: talking to another teacher you respect is a great start.