The sexuality hidden in pedagogic situations A silenced and taboo issue, and it’s interpretation in the light of an empirical research

Abstract

During my own teaching work (and as the researcher of my own work) I found that the influence of gender roles and (a specific hidden form of) sexuality is constantly present in schools, and in pedagogical situations, even in teacher-student relations. However, with the widespread tabooing of this topic, both science and pedagogical practice neglect a factor that significantly influences pedagogical processes. This research was primarily exploratory. I interviewed student teachers and practitioners and re-read my own auto-ethnographic field notes. I looked for those pedagogical micro-stories and teacher-student interactions in which sexuality plays role in a hidden way. I explored the discovered cases with different theories (for example: critical approach, constructing masculinity and femininity, performativity and body use, etc.) The results of the research: (a) experiences about the participants' attitude to the topic. (b) a rich collection of cases, leading to the recognition that this issue is widespread. (c) linking empirical experiences to the literature's findings. (d) comparison and systematization of different theoretical approaches. (e) developing conclusions for pedagogical practice. The research results contribute to the expansion and formation of scientific knowledge in education. The practical long-term benefit (hopefully) that sexuality will be a topic of thinking about education and it will be embedded in the professional preparation of teachers and plays an important role in the (self-)evaluation and reflection of the teachers' work. This can reduce misunderstandings, unclear situations and the presence of hidden power mechanisms between teachers and students. By doing so, it can contribute to making the pedagogical situations more transparent (both for the teacher and the students) and to improve the productivity and developmental impact of pedagogical processes.