Browsing by Author "Talvitie, Jasmin"

Aims. Recently, the diversity of sex has been discussed in public conversation and it has also been noted as a task for preliminary schools’ core basics in upbringing and education, to enhance both equality and social equality. In this study’s theory section, concepts and laws considering the diversity of sex and sexual minorities, professional encounters with gender diversity, and earlier research considering minorities' well-being and needs, are introduced. From these it is apparent that diversity needs to be taken in consideration in preliminary schools, but there actually are no concrete tools for the schools to do so in the curriculum. The aim of this study is to find those ways which the school can utilize especially with transgender students, to encounter and support them. Methods. The data of this study consists of four guidebooks considering gender diversity for school’s teachers and other staff to support them in their work, published by Seta ry and Ministry of Social Affaris and Health. First, concrete practices of how to take gender diversity in consideration were analyzed from the data. After this the concrete practices were thematized.   Results and conclusions. The results of this study consists of six themes, in all of which practical ways of executing this theme in schools are gathered. Themes were: 1) questioning heteronormativity, 2) acknowledging diversity and making it visible 3) prevent gender-based bullying 4) safety of social spaces, 5) sensitive way of speaking 6) sensitivity of documents. Teachers and the other staff can use this information when developing planning and actualizing education/teaching. To conclude, schools have many different practices to take gender diversity in consideration, in both social schoolwork and on the level of a single student’s well-being. Eventhough in this study gender diversity was in the center, these same concrete practices aiming at equality on various levels also support the well-being of other minorities, such as sexual minorities.