Cultural Identifiers- Bathrooms for Transgender Students

Cultural Identifiers- Bathrooms for Transgender Students

Part 1

Describe the cultural identifier and why you chose it. Explain your connection to your choice of cultural identifier and the role of social justice in regard to your topic.

The diversity in school populations is compelling institutions to cater to the needs of all groups. Schools with transgender students battle with questions regarding the best strategies to serve their needs without defying the current laws. The idea of separate bathrooms for this group of students has been implemented only to be identified as discriminatory.

Summarize the key historical events that have significantly affected your specific cultural identifier.

The issue surrounding public facilities was first addressed in 2016 through the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. The act was later repealed to allow for the creation of new ordinances. The court of appeal sustained a ruling that favored the Transgender community. Since then, the use of restrooms is dependent on an individual’s anatomy and not the listed sex on their birth certificates.

Summarize the topic in the context of K-12 education, including the related cultural identifier and any associated controversies.

One may think that the school’s board made the right decision. However, the court established that the decision was discriminatory because it singled out one student for gender nonconformity. This is a violation of the 14^th Amendment and Title IX, which advocate for equal treatment and prohibit sexual discrimination in the school setting, respectively. The designation of special bathrooms for transgender students is not only discriminatory but also stigmatizing. This policy confirms to the rest of the school population that the student’s gender identity is unreal. It further creates a conflict within the student about self. The policy also compromises the child’s trust in adults to ensure their safety (National Association of Independent Schools, 2020). Most importantly, it is dangerous to their health because transgender students avoid using the designated facilities. The students avoid food and water intake to eliminate the urge to use the restrooms. It also affects their ability to concentrate on academics.

Identify current opinions for the controversial argument, including at least one supporting and one opposing.

A Florida federal court ruled that schools would be acting unconstitutionally if they banned transgender students from accessing restrooms that match their gender identity. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, public schools are not allowed to punish students for their non-conformity to a particular gender. This ruling provided direction regarding Drew Adams, who studied at Allen D. Nease High School in Florida. Adams, a transgender student, used the male restroom at the school (Cohen, 2020). The court’s ruling highlights the discriminatory aspect associated with exclusive bathrooms or denial to use restrooms that match the transgender’s identity.

The ‘Bathroom Bill’ from North Carolina in 2016 sought to ensure public safety by having all individuals use restrooms that match their biological sex. Proponents for such bills, including Adam’s former school in Florida, hold the opinion that those transgender students should have their own bathrooms.

Describe how this controversial issue could affect your future teaching practices and how it could affect your future students.

Teachers and other members of the faculty are expected to remain sensitive to the issue. If addressing it for the first time, respect is important. Failure to show respect could demean the student’s perception of the self and increase feelings of unsafety in the presence of instructors.

Summarize related policies or methods that have been implemented in schools as a solution to the controversial issue. ­­­

To ensure social justice, both public and independent schools must do more than just comply with the regulations that are in place. It is necessary to create policies that ensure the safety of students as they use restroom facilities that are consistent with their genders. These policies should curb potential abuse from other students. Transgender students should also receive the necessary assistance to use new facilities that match their gender identity (National Association of Independent Schools, 2020). If necessary, supervision protocols need to be put in place to ensure that all students are safe.

Part 2: Research Articles

References

Discourse and Its Violence. Front. Sociol. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.652777

Barnett, B., Nesbit, A. E., & Sorrentino, R. M. (2018). The Transgender Bathroom Debate at the Intersection of Politics, Law, Ethics, and Science. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 46(2), 232-241. doi:10.29158/JAAPL.003761-18

Cohen, L. (2020). Federal court rules that transgender students must be allowed to use bathrooms that match their gender. CBS News.

National Association of Independent Schools. (2020). Transgender Students and School Bathrooms. Retrieved from https://www.nais.org/media/MemberDocuments/Legal/NAIS_GenderSpectrum_Transgender_Students_School_

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Cultural Identifiers Topic Essay

The field of education is vast and complex, with many stakeholders involved, and sometimes controversies arise. These controversial issues usually begin with a single or a series of historical events. There are also usually arguments on both sides of the issue, both supporting and opposing. Since these issues may cause strife and division, federal and state policymakers, state and local administration, teachers, students, parents, and community members attempt to offer solutions to them.

Cultural Identifiers- Bathrooms for Transgender Students

Relating to these controversial issues are cultural identifiers which can be defined as characteristics or conditions that make each individual unique. Usually one or more cultural identifiers are at the root of the controversial issues. Understanding both the controversial issue and the related cultural identifier can help stakeholders find the best, most equitable, and most ethical solution for everyone involved.

Throughout this course, you will be working on a 1,000-1,250-word research essay on a controversial topic involving a cultural identifier and the implications of the controversial topic on K-12 education. Your first draft of the research paper will be due in Topic 4, and you will be required to submit it to the peer review forum on day 1 in Topic 5, and your final version will be submitted in Topic 7.

Part 1

Identify a controversial topic related to diverse cultures and communities currently affecting K-12 education, such as body image, citizenship status, plastic/cosmetic surgery for teenagers, bathrooms for transgender students, ethnic curriculum/classes, religious clothing, prayer in schools, or other topics that involve at least one cultural identifier. In 400, begin brainstorming on your topic and address the following prompts:

Describe the cultural identifier and why you chose it. Explain your connection to your choice of cultural identifier and the role of social justice in regard to your topic.
Summarize the key historical events that have significantly affected your specific cultural identifier.
Summarize the topic in the context of K-12 education, including the related cultural identifier and any associated controversies.
Identify current opinions for the controversial argument, including at least one supporting and one opposing.
Describe how this controversial issue could affect your future teaching practices and how it could affect your future students.
Summarize related policies or methods that have been implemented in schools as a solution to the controversial issue.­­­
Part 2

Begin conducting research to support your opinion on the controversial issue. Collect a minimum of three scholarly resources from the last three years to support your rough draft due in Topic 4. Submit a 50-word summary for each of the three articles, including how the articles apply to your chosen topic.­­

While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic ­­­writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Before beginning the assignment, review the rubric to familiarize yourself with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.