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Case Study: Timmy’s Gender Nonconformity

Ellie Morris

Educational Psychology

Professor. Reinard

03/11/2023
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Although we are becoming more educated and supportive of specific topics regarding

sexuality, many people are still uneducated and ignorant; this case study confirms that. This case

informs us as readers about Timmy, a child who was born a male, Timmy is experiencing

bullying at school for being more interested in the sad stereotype of “girly things” such as

painted nails, more feminine clothes, and certain toys. Past teachers have noticed this, and now

that Timmy is becoming older and the bullying is increasing, his current teacher, Ms. Grover is

torn on what to do in this situation; attempt to persuade Timmy’s parents into pushing more for

Timmy to play with boys or creating a safe environment for Timmy, possibly without the help

from other staff and students in the school.

Timmy’s teachers from kindergarten through second grade, Mr. Franks and Ms. Puterio

were able to observe that Timmy was being teased more and seemed to only intervene by

addressing the teasing. For example, when some students were picking on Timmy for playing

with costumes such as princess gowns and tiaras, Mr. Franks just made a generalized statement

that all the class’s clothes and toys were for everyone to play with. Ms. Puterio often handled

similar situations the same way, when she would see bullying taking place, she would simply tell

the students to be nicer with what seemed to be no consequences so the bullying would continue.

In my opinion, the earlier we educate students about gender identity in school the quicker the

world becomes a better place and is not only appropriate but a necessary topic that should be

held in early elementary schools. Now of course there are ways to go about this, and educators

need to know how to teach about this topic at an age-appropriate level. But it is no secret that it

is much easier to teach children about these topics at a younger age than it is to teach someone

who is older and already has their own beliefs.

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When it comes to how this issue should be approached when speaking to Timmy’s

parents there is a very fine line because sadly, not everyone has the same views, and this topic is

seen as controversial. When I was reading this study and I came a crossed Ms. Grover’s

questioning whether to talk to Timmy’s parents about helping Timmy to try to play with boys I

instantly got frustrated because Timmy is a child, and we as educators and adults in general need

to simply let kids be kids. If Timmy is showing more interest in playing with more feminine

things, or playing with girls rather than boys, we should continue to let him without any ill

thoughts. It was said that Timmy’s mother has seen Timmy wearing princess dresses and showed

no concern about it so there is no reason that Ms. Grover should reach out about anything

including asking if Timmy’s father knows about the situation but informing the parent that

Timmy is being picked on a bit, and ensuring the mother that you as an educator will speak with

the children, set classroom boundaries and consequences and will reach out to the student’s

parents who are picking on Timmy.

Ms. Grover seems to be unsure about her ability to make the school a welcoming place

for Timmy which is an understandable concern as she is only one person. One thing, Ms. Grover

can do is start small and work towards making her independent classroom a safe space for

Timmy. She can do this by first, educating herself, adding inclusive activities, setting classroom

boundaries, and having consequences for certain behavior and sticking to these consequences.

When it comes to making the entire school a welcoming place for Timmy and other students, she

can have open conversations with coworkers and the admin of that school, encouraging signs and

posters, and attend certain meetings held by the school and or the school’s board of education

meetings. The best thing that she can do is be an advocate, act on what she is advocating for, and

simply use her voice in hopes that people will listen and act upon what she is saying.
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This study was a hard but realistic and necessary read. Bullying due to sexual orientation

takes place, every day in all schools, to the point where we as educators and school systems are

losing students from suicide. This is an issue that has gone on way too long and all educators,

staff, parents, and people from the community need to step in and do something about it. If we

continue to not use our voices and not do the work that is needed, this issue will never be solved,

and more and more families will lose their loved ones for simply being who they were born to

be.