School experiences of transgender and gender diverse students in Australia

Title
School experiences of transgender and gender diverse students in Australia
Publication Date
2016
Author(s)
Jones, Tiffany
Smith, Elizabeth
Ward, Roz
Dixon, Jennifer
Hillier, Lynne
Mitchell, Anne
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Routledge
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1080/14681811.2015.1080678
UNE publication id
une:18740
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been an increase in global and local policy protections on the basis of gender identity and expression in education and a recent spate of coverage of transgender students on Australian television and news media. This paper explores the school experiences of Australian transgender and gender diverse students', with particular consideration of recognition of their gender identity in documentation, experiences of puberty and sexuality education, treatment by staff and students, and other forms of provision. It reports on the findings of a 2013 study which combined a survey of 189 transgender and gender diverse Australian students aged 14-25 years, with 16 online interviews with members of this group. The study was informed by a community advisory group which included a range of transgender, gender diverse and intersex people. Findings include both quantitative and qualitative data, detailing a trend towards more disruptive, fluid and inconsistent identifications by members of this student group, and a diversification of their needs at school. Student advocacy on topics including sexuality and puberty education was shown to be common and also useful in improving individual well-being and social outcomes. We offer some reflections towards more useful school practices and future research.
Link
Citation
Sex Education, 16(2), p. 156-171
ISSN
1472-0825
1468-1811
Start page
156
End page
171

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