Work

Sexual and gender diversity in schools: belonging, in/exclusion and the African child

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The school system in South Africa has only in recent years begun to more deeply grapple with issues of power and privilege along a number of axes of oppression including race, gender, class and recently, sexual and gender diversity. As a result, learners who embody sexual and gender diversity experiences spaces of belonging and exclusion in school settings. As a result, this paper asks: What needs to be done in the school system to reconstruct the 'African child' to include sexual and gender diversity? Possibilities include inclusive policy implementation; inclusive learning and teaching resource materials; teacher preparedness to teach about and affirm sexual and gender diversity in the classroom and a clear rejection of homophobic and transphobic violence. The lessons learnt through the process of challenging racism in the school system - such as around essentialising, othering and systemic violence - have yet to be fully applied to sexual and gender diversity in schools.

Source: Human Science Research Council SA

DOI: 10.14749/32380191

Author: Human Sciences Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Sexuality, and Education

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: Human Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W7162214734

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