Jim brought up something really interesting tonight in our small group discussion about identity theories—had to share this and my own reflection too. As a high school student, Jim remembered being shocked when he discovered that adults also struggle with their identities. (This realization occurred during his modern lit. course.) Sometimes we adults forget that adolescents often live in the moment and do not realize that their elders have gone through (or are going through) similar experiences to their own. I think it is helpful to share our own experiences with our students as we discuss YA in the classroom. If nothing else, this will help our students to see us as “real people.”
Another thought: YA allows adolescents the opportunity to enter a world and maybe vicariously “try out” what is happening in the book. This is a safe way of trying out new identities without the risk of getting in trouble with parents and without looking ridiculous in front of peers.
Gail
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Talking about the identity problems or struggles in adults, I want to share a late and controversial news in Taiwan.
A middle-age high school male teacher claimed he will soon do a male-to-female transgender surgery. He had been married for 23 years, has a nice family with a wife and 4 children, but according to himself, he had "always" wanted to be a female since he was young.
Finally, with the support of his wife and children, he now stands out for himself and tells the public (and the school) his decision to live the rest of his life as a woman.
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This is really a shocking news to me because I used to study and teach in that school for many years. So, the teacher is an acquaintance. He had hidden his identity and sexuality problem pretty well! However, there are many social consequences he has to face after the reveal of the news. The school is now negotiating with him to keep his "male-look" when he teaches after the upcoming surgery, because they are worried about the reactions of the students.
However, in my opinion, banning him from dressing-up like a female might not be a good solution. What the school needs to do is making the students (and parents/other teachers) understand the whole issue, answer their doubts and listen to their thoughts/fears/concerns about this incident. Through discussions, students could learn more about self-identity, philosophy and value of life from this real-life experience.
What do you think?
Nai-Hua
Nai-Hua, I like your ideas about allowing the teacher to express her new identity by dressing as a woman. And educating the school and community about sex and gender identity issues is certainly necessary.
However, the cultural context here is pretty important. How prepared is the community for this change? And what steps can be taken before the sex reassignment surgery to prepare the students and the community for the change? Is there any cultural disctinction between biological sex and gender? How are transgendered people perceived in Taiwan in general?
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