Presentation for Parents and Educators on Gender Identity Development
Is Pink Only a Girl Color and Math Just for Boys?
Tips from an expert on gender and sexual identity and how to help kids navigate a world of gender stereotypes.
Check out this link to see a video of Jennifer Bryan’s visit to Parker
North Greenbush, NY – Robert C. Parker School (parkerschool.org) is hosting a talk by a national expert and author about how parents and educators can help children navigate the tricky waters of gender identity development in a world of stereotypes, teasing and taunting.
The presentation and conversation, which is free and open to the public, is on Wednesday, March 21, from 6:30 – 8 PM at the Robert C. Parker School campus (4254 Route 43, North Greenbush, NY). On-site childcare is available by calling 518-286-3449.
Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D., author of the critically acclaimed new book From The Dress Up Corner To The Senior Prom: Navigating Gender and Sexuality Diversity in PreK-12 Schools (Rowman and Littlefield, March 2012) , is a psychologist and educational consultant with over 25 years of experience working with school communities. Her focus is on helping schools identify and utilize their best practices to address Gender and Sexuality Diversity issues in the Pre-K-12 setting.
Parker first grade teacher Liliana DeGiorgio says:
The impact of stereotypes on gender identity is more profound than you can ever imagine. These kinds of issues come up in a classroom more often than you might think. Here are a few examples: “Girls can wear pink and blue but boys can’t ever wear pink.” “You got a pink (or purple) paper? That’s for girls.” “Boys are better at building.” “You look like a girl.” (to a boy.) “Boys have more muscles.” “Girls are smarter.” And so on…
Responsible adults — parents, educators, pre-service teachers, coaches, religious instructors, camp administrators and school counselors — must help children navigate the inherently diverse, increasingly complex world of gender and sexuality in the 21st Century.