In the U. K., the National Union of Teachers (NUT) says teachers should challenge gender stereotyping and intolerant language as early as preschool. Pinknews.co.uk quotes the NUT’s report:
Research shows that children as young as five begin to display disapproval of peers’ role-inconsistent behaviours and are self-critical when judging how they would feel if they were playing with role-inconsistent toys. . . .
In the case of homophobia, the use of the word ‘gay’ is prevalent in primary schools and young boys who are perceived to not conform to masculine stereotypes are at risk of bullying, isolation and social exclusion.
It is too late to wait until primary school to challenge prejudice and intolerant abusive language.
The NUT also calls on schools to teach children about different family structures, such as same-sex or adoptive parents.
Pinknews.co.uk also reports that the UK’s main LGBT advocacy group, Stonewall, and Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, recently produced a DVD entitled Spell It Out, aimed at combatting homophobia in schools. They are distributing the DVD to teachers in all London’s secondary schools. It’s a good idea, assuming the teachers find time to watch it. Still, every little bit helps. Kudos to Stonewall, Mayor Livingstone, and the NUT. The earlier we can attack prejudice, the better.