Vo - SLWK 603 - Implementing Strategies for Social Justice

.docx

School

Virginia Commonwealth University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

603

Subject

Sociology

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by Mishi_vo

1 Implementing Strategies for Social Justice Paper Michelle Vo School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University SLK 603: Power, Privilege, and Oppression Cory Tolliver December 6, 2023

2 Introduction Bullying, harassment, and victimization against LGBTQ+ students within their school environments are a persistent issue that needs to be brought to attention. These challenges that these students face is often rooted in systemic oppression, where these students face discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of self. Social workers working with LGTBQ+ students facing bullying, harassment, and victimization in their school environments have many ethical issues to consider. It is important for social workers to engage with and contribute to existing literature, research, and practices relating to LGTBQ+ students. Schools should also strive to create and foster a supportive environment for all students no matter of their race, gender, sexual identity, or other personal characteristics to ensure a safe learning environment. LGTBQ+ students often experience extreme challenges, such as loneliness, alienation, hopelessness, substance abuse, self-injury, risk of suicide, and sexual risk- taking due to experiencing discrimination and oppression in their school environments (Wallstead, 2021). All of these factors should be taking into consideration by everyone, not just social workers, to work toward fostering a more inclusive and healthier school environment for LGTBQ+ students. LGTBQ+ students in schools face a multitude of needs and concerns, including bullying, harassment, and victimization based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. A hostile school environment can impact their academic success and mental well-being. LGTBQ+ students who experience discrimination and oppression at their schools have been seen to exhibit poorer educational outcomes, reflected in lower grade point averages, and compromised psychological mental states (Goodboy, 2018). The exposure to bullying can hinder the developmental processes of LGBTQ+ students and potentially lead to health issues due to heightened levels of stress.

3 Studies show that LGTBQ+ students experience additional stress related to their sexual identity while also experiencing stressors from their daily life and school. (Gower, 2018). LGTBQ+ students are more likely to face harassment and victimization from their peers in the form of physical bullying, such as hitting, kicking, or threats of violence, relational bullying, such as social exclusion or spreading rumors, verbal bullying, such as name calling, or even cyber bullying, such as over social media or text chats (Heubner, 2018). Unfortunately, there is a lack of discussion about LGTBQ+ students in their classes due to discriminatory curriculum and outdated school perspectives. This lack of exposure leads to ignorance among other students about the LGTBQ+ community which contributes to bullying of LTGBQ+ students in a physical, emotional, or online aspect (Wallstead, 2021). Overview of Population LGTBQ+ students face higher rates of bullying, harassment, and victimization compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Incidents of homophobic bullying are strongly linked to adverse impacts on academic performance, mental well-being, and physical health, which could lead to school absences, physical injuries, psychological distress, substance use, or suicidal ideation. According to Robinson (2012), LGTBQ+ identified students are 3.3% more likely to contemplate suicide, 3.0) more likely to attempt suicide, and 1.4% more likely to skip school when compared to the school’s heterosexual students. Along with these challenges that LGTBQ+ students face at school, there is also a lack of educator training focused on LGTBQ+ students that may cause these students to feel a sense of isolation and a lack of adult figures to confide in regarding these issues (Wallstead, 2021).

4 A common element of oppression is the denial of the right to define a person’s reality. For LGTBQ+ students who are experiencing oppression, this is shown through their sexual identities being invalidated or suppressed. Bullying, harassment, and victimization toward these students target the core aspects of their identity, which could further lead to these students feeling marginalized and unwelcome in their school environments. This aspect of oppression manifests itself through derogatory language, exclusion, or even physical violence from other students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This oppression can also come from the school’s teachers, administrators, or peers through harmful stereotypes or failing to address incidents of discrimination toward these LGBTQ+ students and the hostile school environment (Fantus, 2021). This element of oppression creates a toxic school environment that has the potential to hinder the personal and academic growth of LGTBQ+ students. Research has shown that structural interventions and changes need to be implemented to help reduce the amount that LGBTQ+ students get abused, bullied, harassed, discriminated, and victimized and to ensure that their school can be a supportive, protective, and secure learning environment for these students (Dominguez-Martinez, 2019). One social justice strategy that can be implemented for LGTBQ+ students and their advocates could use to overcome the effects of bullying, harassment, and victimization could be advocacy and activism. Activism can take place through organizing events, creating safe spaces, support networks, and advocating for policy changes within the school system that will promote better treatment of their LGTBQ+ students. The appropriateness and effectiveness of advocacy and activism can depend on various factors. These factors could include the school’s culture and the level of support these LGBTQ+ students receive from the school’s teachers and administrators. Activism can help raise awareness, challenge oppressive norms, and encourage a sense of solidarity among LGTBQ+

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Pearson College Div

Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780393639407

Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...

Sociology

ISBN:9781305503076

Author:Earl R. Babbie

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...

Sociology

ISBN:9780134477596

Author:Saferstein, Richard

Publisher:PEARSON

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134205571

Author:James M. Henslin

Publisher:PEARSON

Society: The Basics (14th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134206325

Author:John J. Macionis

Publisher:PEARSON

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON