This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

It's Not About Fairy Tales, It's About The Stories We Tell Ourselves

We need to give kids the opportunity to explore, analyse and interpret ideas that aren't always comfortable.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
This isn't about you. It's about them.
evgenyatamanenko via Getty Images
This isn't about you. It's about them.

This week there has been some controversy regarding a proposed program to be implemented in Victorian schools. The program, Respectful Relationships, aims to end the cycle of family violence by teaching students practical and positive social skills. This includes discussing and analysing gender stereotypes through stories, fairy tales and other activities. It's safe to say, many people aren't happy about this possible change.

Right now there is an opportunity in front of us as educators, parents and human beings to actually think critically about the many subtle messages surrounding us each and every day.

As teachers, our purpose is to prepare children to be critical thinkers who are active global citizens in a future completely different to what we know today.

If you haven't been into a school in the past 10 years, you may have missed the mission and purpose of schools this century. As teachers, our purpose is to prepare children to be critical thinkers who are active global citizens in a future completely different to what we know today.

The thing you may not have realised is that this isn't even about fairy tales or issues with new programs wanting to build awareness of respectful relationships. The issue we are facing is that people are having to adjust to a new perspective, and many of the assumptions, norms and beliefs you hold are moving away from being mainstream.

That cultural shift is understandably scary. But it's happening.

Between Steve Biddulph's seminal work Manhood, Women's AFL, Our National Apology, Caitlyn Jenner changing gender in front of us and the 2017 Women's Marches, the world has changed.

Allowing students the privilege and opportunity to see and consider different perspectives and bias before making an informed decision can only be a win-win. It not only sets kids up to adapt and thrive in the future, but also sets us all up for some unimaginable progress.

Preventing them from seeing different perspectives and thinking critically will only hold them back from a successful future life.

That's the thing. This issue isn't about fairy tales or your experiences of them as a child. It isn't about being a lefty, righty or centery. It isn't about you.

It's about the Year 6 girl I taught who spent most days having to prove that she was perfect the way she was, even if she wanted to play football. It's about that Year 6 girl being pushed out of the football team due to pressure from 10 and 11-year-old boys telling her she wasn't "a normal girl".

This issue isn't about fairy tales or your experiences of them as a child. It isn't about being a lefty, righty or centery. It isn't about you.

I let that girl down back then by not speaking up more. I won't make the same mistake this time around. Now is the time to speak up.

In the end, it is simple. It is about creating smart, reflective and adaptable kids who are going to be the adults in a new and different culture in the future. It's about shaping future adults who will have the ability to consider and weigh up different perspectives before making a decision. It's about future adults having the chance to think differently from me and you.

If we're serious about the mission and purpose of global citizenship and critical thinking in schools, we need programs such as Respectful Relationships to give kids opportunities to actually think critically about a wide range of issues that could unite us all as global citizens in the future.

Idealistic? Yes. Already happening? Indeed.

_________

You can see more from Daniel on his blog.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST AUSTRALIA

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.