Gender and Sexualities in Education

This book explores how educational systems shape gender and sexuality identities, highlighting normalization and resistance in contemporary contexts. Gender and Sexualities in Education offers critical insights into these dynamics.

This volume delves into the intricate dynamics of gender and sexualities within educational contexts. It investigates how identities and differences related to gender and sexuality are shaped and constructed through the processes of education and schooling. Educational institutions, whether consciously or unconsciously, play a significant role in normalizing these identities by regulating and producing differences that align with the prevailing cultural norms. The book highlights how the education system often reinforces binary oppositions—such as man versus woman and straight versus gay—privileging certain identities while marginalizing others.

Gender and Sexualities in Education further examines the implications of these normalized identities within the classroom and beyond. The authors argue that the curriculum, both overt and hidden, perpetuates these constructs, leading to a societal framework where certain identities are valorized at the expense of others. This normalization process has profound consequences, as it shapes the experiences and perceptions of students, educators, and the broader community.

In the contemporary landscape, characterized by postmodern influences, the rigid boundaries of gender and sexuality are increasingly being challenged. Young people today are actively resisting and destabilizing these traditional constructs, creating a space for a more nuanced understanding of identity. This volume provides critical insights into the ongoing evolution of gender and sexualities within education, encouraging readers to reflect on the role of educational systems in shaping societal norms and values.