At home at the kitchen table in Porsgrunn, Lars Martin Lillevold often talks to the children about what they have done and learned during the day. It was in such a conversation that his eight-year-old son told that they had learned about gender at school. The class had seen an animated film about a person who was unsure of his gender, and who later appeared to be the opposite sex. – Then they should write which gender they experienced as on a piece of paper and give to the teacher. In a way, my son did not understand the question. He is a boy, says Lillevold. How did you react? – I was really put out and shocked. Now it has come as far down as the third grade. I’m worried about taking this for granted, when there’s so much discussion about it. Stridsklev school in Porsgrunn Photo: Ingvild Edvardsen / news Lillevold thinks eight-year-olds are too young to decide what gender they are. – It is presented as if you have a kind of freedom of choice. As a father, I know how difficult it is for children to choose between light milk and extra light. Then they will take a stand on this that goes like this in the depths of life. I experience that you sow the thought that “maybe that’s why I’m a little different”. Gives teachers freedom Stridsklev school does not want to comment on the episode. Municipal director for growing up in Porsgrunn, Tollef Stensrud, says the school used a scheme from the Regional Center for violence, traumatic stress and suicide prevention (RVTS). The class was to prepare the children for a theater performance from the cultural schoolbag. IS FREE: Tollef Stensrud, municipal director for upbringing in Porsgrunn, will not interfere in how teachers teach about gender diversity. Photo: Torstein Georg Bøe / news – Should eight-year-olds decide what gender they feel they are? – It is completely wrong to interfere in what happens in a teaching lesson in Porsgrunnskolen from my point of view. I have full confidence that the teachers treat gender diversity in a professional way. More gender in the textbooks With the new curricula from 2020, topics such as gender diversity and gender identity have been given a more important place in Norwegian schools. This is reflected in the textbooks. Developments create debate. An appeal against “gender-confusing teaching in schools” has over 10,000 signatures. Recently, a group set up the websiteældrenttverket.no, which will «support parents in meetings with Pride in kindergartens and schools». – Would have been better Jane-Victorius Gipling Bonsaksen is the incoming leader of Skeiv Ungdom and a non-binary trans person. Hen thinks it would have made a difference in growing up if the teacher had told him that there are more than two sexes. MISSING TOOL: Jane-Victorius Gipling Bonsaksen in Skeiv Ungdom, says he would experience less discomfort in childhood with more gender diversity in teaching. Photo: Ingvild Edvardsen / news – I walked around for a long time and had a great deal of discomfort about who I was. I only knew about Espen Esther. If I had learned about gender diversity, I would have had the tools I needed to place myself in a context around gender earlier. – Knowledge does not confuse Rosa competence, which is part of the organization Fri, among other things teaches teachers about gender and sexual diversity. They have also made a teaching plan. Head of department, Marthe Holmedal Øvrum, does not have the impression that children are confused by the teaching given about gender diversity. Marthe Holmedal Øvrum, head of department in Pink competence Photo: Private – Our feedback from teachers is that knowledge is something that secures children, does not confuse. Adults who know something about diversity are able to stand up well in conversations with children and young people. Maybe it’s the adults we need to be safe and not the children. She says children who break gender norms are a particularly vulnerable group. – This is emphasized in a circular from Udir. If you want to be able to recognize and take care of the diversity of people, you have to talk about it in an age-appropriate way. Special adviser in RVTS south, Karen Ringereide says that gender diversity is just one of over 30 topics they address in their teaching programs. – It is important with young people’s mental health in mind and helps to break down taboos. This is about a basic view of man. Sore doubts in the whole group Lars Martin Lillevold says he understands that adults can end up undergoing a sex operation. – I have a great understanding that this must be a demanding situation, but that is another debate. Adults have experience and can make real choices. NARROW IDEAL: Lars Martin Lillevold believes that society does not allow for being different types within its gender. Photo: Torstein Georg Bøe / news – But does anyone just say that the thoughts about this came early? – I think that is completely real, but that a minority experiences it that way must not be so in doubt in the whole group. One must provide space and space for those who struggle and help them. Children must be allowed to be children. They should be allowed to play and be themselves without having to think about who they are.
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Eight-year-olds were to state what gender they felt like. – I was shocked, says father
