Andrew O JonesStephanie Matook’s Updates
Update 1: Transgender students' conflict in schools
A very current debate in public schools is allowing transgender students to use the washroom that they feel most comfortable with based on what gender they associate with. I think this is a serious issue that is long overdue to be addressed. I think the root of this issue has really stemmed from behavioralism and society teaching boys that they need to act like boys and play sports and girls need to act like girls and wear dresses and those two genders can't mix. For transgender youth, not having a choice in what washroom they can use is a serious hardship for them.
Jazz Jennings has been an inspirational spokesperson and role model for transgender youth and I think this video really portrays some of the many isses that these students face.
I have been a proponent of gender non-specific restrooms in public places for a long time. At the same time, in a K-12 institution, there have to be precautions put in place to protect the individual student. The precautions are not for the sake of the majority, but to prevent hate crimes from happening. At my school, we have gender specific restrooms. However if a transgender student wanted to utilize the restroom that did not match what was on their birth certificate, no one would blink twice. I don't think he would be assaulted or violated in the restroom...but there is that possibility. So, at minimum, security should be aware and students should only be allowed to use the restroom when hallway supervision is sufficient. We don't allow students to use the restroom during class anyway. Another option is for transgender students to have access to a family bathroom intended for one person or family to utilize.