Inequalities in Education

cabaret

Hi guys,

I've an assignment in Sociology for college coming up and before I start it I want your opinion; could I talk about homosexuality in regards to the following statement:

"Regardless of the provision of free education, there remains a lot of inequality in levels of access and completion. Critically discuss".

I was hoping to but I think she wants social class inequalities, traveler inequalities or inequalities regarding disabilities???

What do you think? Any help would be much appreciated. I don't want to complete it on homosexuality and then realise I got the brief wrong and fail.

Thanks (",)

baby and crumble

cabaret wrote: »

Hi guys,

I've an assignment in Sociology for college coming up and before I start it I want your opinion; could I talk about homosexuality in regards to the following statement:

"Regardless of the provision of free education, there remains a lot of inequality in levels of access and completion. Critically discuss".

I was hoping to but I think she wants social class inequalities, traveler inequalities or inequalities regarding disabilities???

What do you think? Any help would be much appreciated. I don't want to complete it on homosexuality and then realise I got the brief wrong and fail.

Thanks (",)

Not to be smart, but why don't you ask your lecturer? In any case, an assignment like that should attempt to cover a decent bit of ground, not just one topic.

1ZRed

cabaret wrote: »

Hi guys,

I've an assignment in Sociology for college coming up and before I start it I want your opinion; could I talk about homosexuality in regards to the following statement:

"Regardless of the provision of free education, there remains a lot of inequality in levels of access and completion. Critically discuss".

I was hoping to but I think she wants social class inequalities, traveler inequalities or inequalities regarding disabilities???

What do you think? Any help would be much appreciated. I don't want to complete it on homosexuality and then realise I got the brief wrong and fail.

Thanks (",)

How could there be inequality in the access and completion of education in regards to sexuality?

Nobody knows what you are if you don't state it, and even then, nobody takes that into account when, lets say, deciding who is eligible for grants, financial aid, or whatever else.

It looks to be much more focused on social class, traveller/disability inequalities, like you said. You probably could pull sexuality into things at a push, but I'd say it would be hard to build anything substantial on it.

Vojera

Have you found any peer reviewed literature on the subject? I imagine you'll need those references to back yourself up, so if you can't find them then you're making things really tough on yourself.

Ambersky

Luckily there is quite a lot of research done on this subject.
Our own Gay Equality Education Network or GLEN are a good source of information .
They have done great work in schools and teaching organizations and have carried out several research projects.
Probably worth quoting most of the short version but there is more information on their research here.
http://www.glen.ie/subpage.aspx?contentid=46&name=research

The Issues: LGB Students

Lesbian, gay and bisexual students are part of every classroom in Ireland. Many don't experience school as safe or supportive, most will not 'come out' until they leave school due to fear of rejection, isolation and bullying.

Supporting LGBT Lives is the most comprehensive study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ireland. The study had a special emphasis on young people; 40% of the 1,110 people who participated in the research were 25 years or under. The majority of participants perceived schools to be unsupportive and hostile places for those who identify as LGBT. The facts presented below come from this research.
Experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual students in post-primary schools

Over 20,000 young people at second level are lesbian, gay or bisexual, and every class will therefore have an average of two students who are LGB. Yet this sizeable number is still largely invisible in any meaningful or positive way.

Homophobic bullying is the most serious issue for many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people and indeed for many heterosexual young people who are targeted for not fitting traditional gender stereotypes.

50% were called abusive names related to their sexual orientation or gender identity by fellow students
40% were verbally threatened by fellow students
25% were physically threatened by their peers<
34% heard homophobic comments by teachers or other staff members

Awareness of LGBT Identity during Post-Primary Years

The most common age that people who participated in the study became aware of their LGBT identity was 12 years (average 14 years)
The most common age that people disclosed this to another person was 17 years (average 21 years)
This implies a five to seven year period of concealing one's LGBT identity. For many this period was marked by isolation and fear of rejection by friends and family if their LGBT identity were to be known. For most, this period spans their entire time at secondary school and intersects with critical milestones such as state examinations and preparation for working life or continued studies. It is also a time of formative psychological development that is critical to the young person's future well-being and life achievements.

Educational Impact: Missing School and Early School Leaving

Many participants reported that the experience of victimisation had a direct impact on school experience.

20% of LGBT students admitted to missing school because they felt threatened at school
5% left school without completing their leaving certificate because of the treatment they experienced as a consequence of their LGBT identity.

Personal Impact: Self-harm and Suicidality

Being victimized (verbally or physically threatened or physically hurt) because of one's LGBT identity was linked with the risk of self-harm and suicidality. The most vulnerable who participated in the research:

Began to self-harm on average at 15.5 years
Twice as many females self-harmed than males
25% of females and 15% of males attempted suicide on at least one occasion (total 18%). Those that did attempted suicide for the first time at 17.5 years
One third of those aged 25 or under had seriously thought about ending their lives in the previous year.

http://www.glen.ie/page.aspx?contentid=33&name=education

Annasopra

Refusal of access to education for LGB people is illegal so I think she means broader.

The thing is well you will need back up of what you are saying. I've seen almost no academic articles saying levels of access for lgb students in Ireland are a problem. (I did a masters in equality studies with a module on education and equality)

Kathleen Lynch and Anne Lodge have written numerous books and journal articles on the area of education and equality

Google "kathleen lynch education equality" and you will get a number of these

I would look broadly at the issue - cover class, travellers, lgb, disability - but it depends how long the assignment is.

I think baby and crumble is right - ask your lecturer.

If you are interested in some of the literature on lgb stuff I reccomend James O Higgins Normans work on homophobic bullying

There is some stuff on heteronormativity as well from James O Higgins Norman and also Michael Barron

Annasopra

1ZRed wrote: »

How could there be inequality in the access and completion of education in regards to sexuality?

Nobody knows what you are if you don't state it, and even then, nobody takes that into account when, lets say, deciding who is eligible for grants, financial aid, or whatever else.

It looks to be much more focused on social class, traveller/disability inequalities, like you said. You probably could pull sexuality into things at a push, but I'd say it would be hard to build anything substantial on it.

Broadly speaking access isn't a problem for lgb students but completion definitely is

Ambersky

mango salsa said
Broadly speaking access isn't a problem for lgb students but completion definitely is
and
I've seen almost no academic articles saying levels of access for lgb students in Ireland are a problem.

What do you mean access isnt a problem. Did no one look at the Irish statistics I posted. Academic articles on subjects are not our only source of information. Or is it? Do colleges ignore information that comes from any source other than another academic and that is produced in a university?
I dont know but that would be overlooking loads of good work and information.

Many participants reported that the experience of victimisation had a direct impact on school experience.

20% of LGBT students admitted to missing school because they felt threatened at school
5% left school without completing their leaving certificate because of the treatment they experienced as a consequence of their LGBT identity.

The statistics I posted above give us the information required about the effect on completion do they not.
Then the statistics on bullying it can be argued to show that schools did not provide a safe and secure environment for those LGBT students in order to access an education. Access is not just about getting your foot in the door. Yes you have to be able to get into the building but then you have to be able to do your work, study, concentrate, listen, in a safe and secure environment.

50% were called abusive names related to their sexual orientation or gender identity by fellow students
40% were verbally threatened by fellow students
25% were physically threatened by their peers<
34% heard homophobic comments by teachers or other staff members

If you look up the GLEN links I provided they have a lot more to say on the matter giving commentary explanations and statistics on what is happening currently in Education for LGBT students in Ireland.

Here is more information from that link I posted but this might be easier.
10 Things you should know about LGBT students: 5 Things your school can do
http://www.glen.ie/attachments/cfa12e9c-12e7-4012-957e-052ef9471ec0.PDF
INCLUDING LESBIAN, GAY & BISEXUAL STUDENTS IN SCHOOL POLICIES:GUIDELINES FOR PRINCIPALS
http://www.glen.ie/attachments/c7ac294f-447a-4964-bb45-f4f94680f0c6.PDF
Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students:The role of Guidance Counsellors
http://www.glen.ie/attachments/28714a2a-32ca-435f-817e-e6e9b16d0ad0.PDF
Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students:The Role of Teachers
http://www.glen.ie/attachments/Resources_for_Teachers.PDF

cabaret

Thank you guys, the assignment is 1,500 words. I would ask my lecturer but I wanted to use the element of surprise and intrigue when she gets the paper in front of her. I want it to be original as I doubt any would use sexuality as an inequality in education. I'm taking a risk doing the whole paper on it, I think, but if I can back up my points and reference from different literature articles / books, I should be fine. It could go either way FAIL / 1:1

Decisions, decisions.

*By the way thank you very much Ambersky (",)

Annasopra

Ambersky wrote: »

What do you mean access isnt a problem. Did no one look at the Irish statistics I posted. Academic articles on subjects are not our only source of information.

I mean that legally a student cannot be denied entry on the basis of their sexuality. Sorry if that was unclear.

It's probably very important if cabaret does write an essay on this issue to state that.

Annasopra

If you do it on sexuality

I really reccomend James O Higgins Normans work - click on publications

http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff_member.php?id_no=2379

Also this article by Michael Barron is great (a huge amount has changed in 8 years - thanks to Michaels great work)

http://belongto.org/attachments/233_Corporeal_Controls,_Viloence,_Bullying,_Body_Image_Young_Gay_Men,_Ireland.pdf

BUT - if it's only 1500 words - don't get too bogged down

cabaret

That's great Mango Salsa - thanks for pulling them out of the bag for me

Annasopra

No problem at all

If you want to write anything general on educational inequality I recommend Professor Kathleen Lynchs' work