A Study on Gender-based Bullying in Australian High Schools-Take LGBTIQ Student Support Policy as an Example

Authors

  • Yitong Shen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61173/tazdvk97

Keywords:

Teenagers, Sexuality Education, Education Policy, Critical Policy Analysis, Gender-based Bullying

Abstract

This thesis provides an in-depth investigation of gender-based bullying in Australian high schools through a critical policy analysis of a relevant sexuality education policy text – LGBTIQ Student Support. The thesis summarises the general phenomenon of gender-based bullying among teenagers and points out the existence of the disconnection between policy and practice – including the unclear definitions in academic materials and policy texts regarding “bullying”, as well as the tendency of individuals to be “silenced” within the high school environment. The thesis subsequently provides an in-depth analysis of the selected policy text, exploring the underlying political discourses as well as the sexual political preferences within the policy. Further, the thesis evaluates the current state of the policy and its practice, revealing its issues and limitations, meanwhile providing certain possible suggestions for further development regarding gender-based bullying. The continuous focus on the issue of gender-based bullying among teenagers is significant, with further support from academic research, actual practices and politics should be provided – to address the disconnection status between policy texts and practices, and to achieve the objective of “improved solutions”. At the same time, the perspective of teenagers is significant and needs to be incorporated into future research and practices to enhance the responsiveness of the result.

References

[1] Rawlings, V. ‘It’s not bullying’, ‘It’s just a joke’: Teacher and student discursive manoeuvres around gendered violence. British Educational Research Journal, 2019, 45(4), 698–716.

[2] Parker, L., Webb, S., & Chonody, J. M. Bullying toward LGBTQI + students in Australian schools: Understanding teachers’ intentions to intervene. Journal of LGBT Youth, 2023, 20(3), 561–584.

[3] Ecker, S., Riggle, E. D. B., Rostosky, S. S., & Byrnes, J. M. Impact of the Australian marriage equality postal survey and debate on psychological distress among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer/questioning people and allies. Australian Journal of Psychology, 2019, 71(3), 285–295.

[4] Department of Education and Training [DET]. LGBTIQ Student Support. https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/lgbtiqstudent-support/policy, 2020.

[5] Keddie, A. Student activism, sexual consent and gender justice: Enduring difficulties and tensions for schools. The Australian Educational Researcher, 2023, 50(2), 503–518.

[6] Coy, M., Kelly, L., Vera-Gray, F., Garner, M., & Kanyeredzi, A. From no means no’ to ‘an enthusiastic yes’: Changing the discourse on sexual consent through sex and relationships education. In V.Sundaram & H. Sauntson (Eds.), Global perspectives and key debates in sex and relationships education: Addressing issues of gender, sexuality, plurality and power (pp. Dean&Francis 84–99). Palgrave Macmillan. 2016.

[7] Ezer, P., Jones, T., Fisher, C., & Power, J. A critical discourse analysis of sexuality education in the Australian curriculum. Sex Education, 2019, 19(5), 551–567.

[8] Shannon, B. Sex(uality) Education in Australia from Past to Present. In B. Shannon, Sex(uality) Education for Trans and Gender Diverse Youth in Australia (pp. 29–55). Springer International Publishing. 2022.

[9] Lohmeyer, B. A. Social violence and the trivialising effects of youth in school bullying: Extended listening to South Australian young people on bullying and violence. British Educational Research Journal, 2023, 49(1), 158–173.

[10] Olweus, D. Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. Blackwell Publishing. 1993.

[11] Mikel Brown, L., Chesney-Lind, M., & Stein, N. Patriarchy Matters: Toward a Gendered Theory of Teen Violence and Victimization. Violence Against Women, 2007, 13(12), 1249– 1273.

[12] Payne, E. & Smith, M. Violence against LGBTQ students: Punishing and marginalizing difference, in: H. Shapiro (Ed.) Handbook on violence in education: Forms, factors and preventions (Hoboken, NJ, Wiley Blackwell), 2017, 393–415.

[13] Burkholder, C., Hamill, K., & Thorpe, A. Speaking back to gender-based violence in New Brunswick schools through queer maker literacies with 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Journal of Youth Studies, 2023, 1–15.

[14] Grossman, A. H., Haney, A. P., Edwards, P., Alessi, E. J., Ardon, M., & Howell, T. J. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Talk about Experiencing and Coping with School Violence: A Qualitative Study. Journal of LGBT Youth, 2009, 6(1), 24–46.

[15] Kosciw, J. G., Palmer, N. A., Kull, R. M., & Greytak, E. A. The effect of negative school climate on academic outcomes for LGBT youth and the role of in-school supports. Journal of School Violence, 2013, 12(1), 45–63.

[16] Ullman, J.. Free2Be... Yet? The second national study of Australian high school students who identify as gender and sexuality diverse. Centre for Educational Research, School of Education., Western Sydney University. 2021. https://apo.org.au/ sites/default/files/resource-files/2021-04/apo-nid311780_1.pdf

[17] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds.), APA handbook of research methods in psychology, Vol. 2. Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (pp. 57–71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 2013.

[18] Foucault, M.. The history of sexuality: An introduction, vol. 1. New York: Vintage Books. maintenance of power. 1978.

[19] McKenzie, M. Affect theory and policy mobility: Challenges and possibilities for critical policy research. Critical Studies in Education, 2017, 58(2), 187–204.

[20] Bacchi, C. Introducing the ‘What’s the Problem Represented to be?’ approach. In A. Bletsas & C. Beasley (Eds.), Engaging with Carol Bacchi (1st ed., pp. 21–24). University of Adelaide Press. 2012.

Downloads

Published

2024-08-14