Faith, Sex, Gender and the Christian School

Transcription

1 Faith, Sex, Gender and the Christian School 19 August 2015 Mark Spencer, FCA, GAICD, B.Bus, M. Lab. Rel. & Law Executive Officer, National Policy Christian Schools Australia Limited

2 Disclaimer and Copyright This material is in the nature of general information and does not constitute professional or legal advice. While care has been taken in its preparation you should not act on the basis of this material without seeking appropriate professional or legal advice Christian Schools Australia Limited A.C.N This publication is protected by Australian and international copyright law. Any member school may freely copy this publication solely for its own use. All other rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Christian Schools Australia Limited. Without limiting the generality of the above the use of this information for commercial purposes is expressly prohibited. The moral rights of the author, Mark Spencer FCA, GAICD, B. Bus., M. Lab. Rel. & Law, are acknowledged.

3 An agenda Faith Sex Gender Sexual Orientation Sexual Expression Contemporary Issues Christian Schools

4 Faith

5 How does our faith shape our responses? Role of the Bible Teaching on sex and gender Teaching on marriage Behavioural standards for believers Evangelical commitment (no stumbling blocks )

6 Sex

7 Definitions Sex refers to a person s biological status and is typically categorized as male, female, or intersex (i.e., atypical combinations of features that usually distinguish male from female). There are a number of indicators of biological sex, including sex chromosomes, gonads, internal reproductive organs, and external genitalia. (Excerpt from: The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, adopted by the APA Council of Representatives, February 18-20, 2011) Note: Sex is a distinct concept from gender, sexual orientation or sexual expression

8 Intersex An intersex person may have the biological attributes of both sexes or lack some of the biological attributes considered necessary to be defined as one or the other sex. Intersex is always congenital and can originate from genetic, chromosomal or hormonal variations. Environmental influences such as endocrine disruptors can also play a role in some intersex differences. People who are intersex may identify their gender as male, female or X. (Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender)

9 Intersex Statistics Estimates vary data and definitional issues Higher range estimate 4.0% of population Equates to 1 in every 25 live births Lower range estimate 0.07% of population Equates to 1 in every 1,500 live births Accepted estimate 1.7% of population Equates to 1 in every 60 live births (

10 Gender

11 Some clarification on terms (APA) Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behaviours that a given culture associates with a person s biological sex. Behaviour that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gender-normative; behaviours that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute gender nonconformity.

12 Some clarification on terms (APA) Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behaviours that a given culture associates with a person s biological sex. Behaviour that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gendernormative; behaviours that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute gender non-conformity.

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16 Some clarification on terms (APA) Gender identity refers to one s sense of oneself as male, female, or transgender. When one s gender identity and biological sex are not congruent, the individual may identify as transsexual or as another transgender category

17 Some clarification on terms (APA) Gender expression refers to the way in which a person acts to communicate gender within a given culture; for example, in terms of clothing, communication patterns and interests. A person s gender expression may or may not be consistent with socially prescribed gender roles, and may or may not reflect his or her gender identity

18 Some clarification on terms (APA) Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behaviour does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. While transgender is generally a good term to use, not everyone whose appearance or behaviour is gender-nonconforming will identify as a transgender person

19 Some clarification on terms Gender dysphoria was included as a recognised diagnosis in DSM-5. To be diagnosed with gender dysphoria there must be a marked difference between the individual s expressed/experienced gender and the gender others would assign him or her Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Characteristics of the condition -

20 Sexual Orientation

21 Some clarification on terms (APA) Sexual orientation refers to the sex of those to whom one is sexually and romantically attracted. Categories of sexual orientation typically have included attraction to members of one s own sex (gay men or lesbians), attraction to members of the other sex (heterosexuals), and attraction to members of both sexes (bisexuals). While these categories continue to be widely used, research has suggested that sexual orientation does not always appear in such definable categories and instead occurs on a continuum. In addition, some research indicates that sexual orientation is fluid for some people; this may be especially true for women.

22 Sexual Expression

23 Sexual Expression (or activity) Not a commonly used term Useful concept to describe the way in which a person acts to communicate sexual orientation Implies celibacy as a form of sexual [non-] expression Can encompass all forms of sexual expression

24 Three spheres interacting Sex Gender Sexual Orientation

25 Some of the potential combinations Sex Gender Identity Sexual Orientation Sexual Expression Female Female Male Active Female Female Male Celibate Female Female Female Active Female Female Female Celibate Female Female Bisexual Active Female Female Bisexual Celibate Female Female Asexual Celibate Female Male Male Active Female Male Male Celibate Female Male Female Active Female Male Female Celibate Female Male Bisexual Active Female Male Bisexual Celibate Female Male Asexual Celibate

26 Contemporary Issues

27 Current Public Policy Discussions Same Sex Marriage Religious understandings Role of [secular] government Legal/Human rights issues (esp equality ) Impacts on family and children Freedom of Religion/Expression Impact of any change on ongoing ability to hold to a [different] faith-based position Churches Schools Bakers/florists etc

28 Christian Schools

29 Challenges for Christian Schools Pastoral responses Employment of staff Enrolment of students Curriculum and teaching

30 Links and resources ngovernmentguidelinesontherecognitionofsexand Gender.aspx

31 Questions

32 For the questions you think of later Mark Spencer Executive Officer, National Policy Christian Schools Australia Limited Tel: Fax: Mob: