'The C Words': Clitorises, childhood and challenging compulsory heterosexuality discourses with pre-service primary teachers

Full text for this resource is not available from the Research Repository.

Curran, Greg, Chiarolli, Steph and Palotta-Chiarolli, Maria (2009) 'The C Words': Clitorises, childhood and challenging compulsory heterosexuality discourses with pre-service primary teachers. Sex Education, 9 (2). pp. 155-168. ISSN 1468-1811

Abstract

This paper reports on accidental ethnographic research. It arose unexpectedly out of the everyday teaching of first-year pre-service primary teachers at an Australian university. Via narrative, self-reflexivity, and student responses, we explore the interwoven workings of heteronormative, gendernormative and misogynist discourses when a chapter from Queering Elementary Education in the Course Reader created controversy, moral panic and resistance among students. The paper then charts the implementation of various strategies and interventions by the three authors of the paper: Greg, the lecturer; Maria, the Reading’s author; and Steph, the Reading’s protagonist. While outlining the subsequent shifts in student responses and discourses, we also problematise particular aspects of the processes of intervention where they still point to the insidious power and overarching framework of heteronormativity and gendernormativity that require ongoing challenges.

Dimensions Badge

Altmetric Badge

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/4236
DOI 10.1080/14681810902829539
Official URL http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~co...
Subjects Current > Division/Research > VU College
Historical > FOR Classification > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
Historical > SEO Classification > 9302 Teaching and Instruction
Keywords ResPubID17470. clitoris, childhood, heterosexuality, homosexuality, pre-service primary teachers, primary education, primary schools, heteronormative, gendernormative, misogynist, Queering Elementary Education, queer issues, sex education, gay, Australia, Australian
Citations in Scopus 20 - View on Scopus
Download/View statistics View download statistics for this item

Search Google Scholar

Repository staff login