Nakkula Chapt 9

            I thought Nakkula framed this chapter in an interesting way.  Nakkula writes about how the media and American culture are presented to people: “Get more!  Get more than you currently have, more than you’re currently getting, more, even, than you ever imagined.  The for-profit media is designed to seduce” (180).  This idea that Americans are never satisfied inevitably affects growing adolescents’ identities.  This is especially true with the confusion that surrounds sexual identity.  

            Nakkula argues that sexuality scripts are infused with ‘traditional romantic tales’ purported by Disney and romantic comedies.  Obviously these ideas aren’t all bad, but the distinction is never explicitly made between the reality of love and sexuality vs. the myths of prince charming and Cinderella.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this co-hort, it’s the lack of explicit direction and explanation in our society.  It seems reasonable to me, and not at all controversial, if we discuss this in schools more openly.  If it’s done the right way, this would help some students who are having difficulties with their sexual identities.

     

     “Early adolescents are filled with such questions without quite being able to formulate them and, typically, without any safe spaces and available adults with whom to work the questions out” (184).  Again, if anything this book has taught me, it’s the importance of having safe spaces in your school.  I believe that my credit recovery class room, since it’s small, has been a safe space for some students to succeed where they hadn’t before.  I try to allow some discussions about identity to happen organically in the classroom.  Sexuality is one place I have trouble going to, although I’m sure my case study student will not have any qualms about discussing her thoughts on this subject, considering she already is giving me TMI without even asking!  But,  she probably does this because she doesn't have any adults to talk to about her struggles.  Obviously, this chapter gave me some confidence in discussing these matters with the student.

            I always thought school sex-ed was pretty lame and tame, but the way Nakkula puts it, it’s a disgrace to society.  The “medicalization of adolescent society” is so obviously not-helpful and not-reality.  Ditto to abstinence.  The idea of discussing desire with the biological ramifications of sexuality makes a helluva lot more sense than what is being taught now.  We need to get rid of the myth that people innately come to their sexual orientation.  They might come to these conclusions eventually, but the pain that the adolescents may have to go through could be avoided. 

            The last two conclusions I drew from this chapter were quite important to my case study.  Nakkula discusses the various models used to understand sexuality and identity in adolescents.  He’s careful to note that “we do not use developmental theory and research of this type to determine what stage someone is in, but rather that we draw from this knowledge base as a way of orienting ourselves to what MIGHT be going on for each individual” (197).  I think that’s a huge idea for my case study.  I don’t know if I’m going to completely slam-dunk figure out what’s going on with this kid.  If I keep in mind I’m trying to look for possible solutions, and not the number one solution, I think I’ll be able to help my student.

            The last important note from Nakkula was keeping in mind that “the key to comprehend and engage with the ways in which students are making meaning of their sexual identities and, ideally, to help them cultivate contexts within and outside of school for supportively nurturing its development” (197).  This is a zoom-out idea for me.  We’re not here to solve all of society’s problems.  We, as educators, are simply trying to provide a place for students to feel safe to grow and develop.  Due to the way our society is structured, we sometimes overlook some students.  This is especially true with homosexuality, considering both sexuality and homosexuality are taboo subjects.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, but hopefully the ripples will be felt if we start making changes.  Sexuality is such a taboo subject, yet if it’s framed in a different way, maybe things can change.