Asking the right questions on gender identity in education

This post is drawn from an article “A Biblical Response to Issues of Gender: Theology and Practice” that was included in The Journal (Spring 2022), published by the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT).

The article, written by Al Gooderham, a governor in a primary school and pastor of a church in northern England, has been written lovingly out of a concern for children and particularly for those struggling with their identity and gender dysphoria.

The author very helpfully poses a series of questions relating to gender identity that  teachers, governors, parents and concerned others should ask, “to question some of the prevailing ideas being taught and which we’re being asked to teach”. The author further states “Our concern is not policy; it’s people”.

The following are the questions, regarding teaching material relating to gender identity, the author poses:

“Here are some prompts that lovingly pose the question, ‘Is this the best we can give our students?’:

• Does this material have a scientific basis or is it based on ideology?
• Has it been tested, evaluated, and shown to help students in the long term?
• Is it one-sided or balanced? Does it tell stories of decisions not to transition, to transition and to detransition?
• Does the material use gender stereotypes to make judgments?
• Does it deal with the very real questions about mental heath, suicide, and Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) sensitively and appropriately?
• Is it honest about the consequences of decisions regarding hormones, surgery, and other protocols?
• Is it honest about the percentage of those who grow out of such feelings? Does it recognise this possibility or ignore it altogether?
• Does it encourage students to speak to their parents, or does it shut down discussion and damage the family? Will it isolate pupils from those who love and know them best?

The way in which we ask these questions matters. The tone we use matters”.

The complete article can be found by clicking here.

Let us not forget in our prayers, those who teach, work and have responsibilities for managing and governing schools as their actions ultimately impact on the lives of children and young people.

For those interested in the work of The Association of Christian Teachers (ACT), you’ll find more information by clicking here.