Gender Equity Movement Progress and Backlash in Taiwan
Explore the progress and backlash of the gender equity movement in Taiwan through responses from counseling psychology, as presented at the 76th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychology Association. Dr. Shuchu Chao delves into the challenges and advancements, reflecting on the training of counselors and counseling psychologists amidst the Gender Equity Education Act.
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Progress and Backlash of the Gender Equity Movement in Taiwan: Responses from Counselling Psychology Shuchu Chao Ph. D Marriage and Family Therapy Program Department of Guidance and Counselling National Changhua University of Education Keynote speech presented at the 76th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychology Association (June 4, 2015)
Shuchu Chao Academic Positions Professor Marriage and Family Therapy Program Dept. of Guidance & Counselling Dean of College of Education (Feb., 2009 July,2012) Head of the Department (Aug, 2004 July, 2007)
Shuchu Chao Related Services Board member: Taiwan Guidance and Counseling Association (TGCA) (2007 present) Board of Directors of TGCA (2011 present) Director: Curriculum and Instruction Consulting Committee: Gender Equity Education, Ministry of Education, Taiwan (Aug., 2010 July,2014)
Information about Taiwan Area : 36,000 square kilometers Population : 23 million Language : Mandarin / Taiwanese / Hakka / Indigenous Languages Religion : Buddhism / Taoism / Christianity
Overview Counsellor training in Taiwan Gender Equity Education Act Backlash to gender equity education Responses from the profession Reflective thoughts on training counsellors and counselling psychologists
Background Counsellor Training in Taiwan How many Counselor Education Programs? Undergraduate: 8 programs Master degree: 17 programs Ph.D. degree: 4 programs
Counsellor Educations School Counsellors (teaching, prevention, guidance, career guidance) College graduates, certificated teacher Curriculum Basic educational psychology courses Guidance courses and clinical practice Group and individual counselling Psychological testing & diagnosis Career counselling Crisis intervention
Counselling Psychologists Counselling psychologists (Individual or group counseling, prevention workshops) Masters degree National licensure test (2001) Most working in colleges/universities, few work in private practice Subjects on the licensure test Theories of counseling and psychotherapy Issues in practice of counseling and psychotherapy Ethics and the law Mental health and abnormal psychology Assessment and diagnosis Group counseling Practicum
Comparison of Training: Both lack Multicultural and Gender Training School Counsellors Counselling Psychologist Basic educational psychology courses Guidance courses and clinical practice Group and individual counseling Psychological testing & Diagnosis Career counseling Crisis intervention Theory of counselling and psychotherapy Practice of counselling and psychotherapy Group counseling Mental health and Abnormal psychology Assessment and Diagnosis Ethic and law Practicum
Why do counselling psychologists need a gender perspective? 2000,4,20 , Yeh, Yongzhi A 9thgrad male student was found dead in the school washroom. He had been bullied due to his effeminate characteristics. Hugging Rose Youth Photos retrieved from website
The Gender Equity Education Act (GEEA) was enacted in June, 2004, with a specific focus on non-discriminative learning environments.
Gender Equity Education Act (2004) 5 Chapters, 36 Articles Chapter 1: General/Administrative guideline This Act is prescribed in order to promote substantive gender equality, eliminate gender discrimination, uphold human dignity, and improve and establish education resources and environments for gender equality. Chapter 2: Learning environment and resources
GEEA (contd) Chapter 3: Curriculum, teaching materials and instruction The school shall design curriculum and activities to encourage students to develop their potential and shall not discriminate against students on the basis of their gender. Elementary and junior high schools, in addition to integrating gender equity education into their curriculum, shall provide at least four hours of courses or activities on gender equity education each semester. Schools shall develop course planning and assessment methods in accordance with the principles of gender equity education.
GEEA (contd) Chapter 3: Curriculum, teaching materials and instruction When using teaching materials and engaging in educational activities, teachers shall maintain a gender equity consciousness, eliminate gender stereotypes, and avoid gender prejudice and discrimination. Teachers shall encourage students to take courses in fields that are not traditionally affiliated with their gender.
GEEA (contd) Chapter 4: Prevention of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual bullying on campus Chapter 5: Reporting and adjudicating
Backlash One Curriculum Reform New curriculum started in the 5th and 7thgrades in August 201l. Students were introduced LGBTrangs* (Tongzhi) topics Goal to develop respect for different sexual orientations. Three books provided references and resources for teachers to be able to implement the gender equity education curriculum in their courses. Book development sponsored by the Ministry of Education.
Backlash One True-Love-Union: A religious anti-LGBT group 2011 April protested against the new curriculum. In particular three books They forced the Minister of Education to have open hearings for the purpose of stopping published/circulated these books. Resulted in delay of eight months to enact the new curriculum
Teaching Gender, 2012 Let s Teach Gender,2012 Introduction and Resources for Teaching LBGT, 2008
Backlash Two Rainbow Mother Union Volunteer mothers offered life-education courses in schools. They provided 6thgrade female students free courses before graduation. Included intimidating abortion films which were made in the 1960s. Students were asked to take a virginity pledge ( ).
Backlash Three Taiwan Family Union (TFU): (Taiwan Family Protection Union, organized by a Christian group, comprised of different religious groups) Against same sex marriage law Protested on Nov. 30, 2013
Backlash Three Protest, TFU Press conference, TFU Photos retrieved from website
Backlash Three A family is made by a man and a woman. Children need a father and a mother. Photos retrieved from website
Backlash Three Official Statement of TFU Against same-sex marriage law. Law should not destroy the traditional meaning of marriage and family. Respect LGBT people, as we should respect everyone.
Backlash Four Committee on Gender Equity Education, Ministry of Education appointed members who are known to be anti-LGBT. (2014) A protest in front of the office of Ministry of ED., held by LGBT NGOs Photo retrieved from website
What were the responses from counselling professionals? Why do we, as a mental health professional, need to respond? How does the language of discrimination and the related ideology impact LGBT students and/or clients? How are we going to work with LGBT clients?
Language isnt one, two, or three words put together. It related to how we think and how we see each other and how others see us. (Suzanne Talhouk,2014)
An official announcement to support LGBT people and their families (2014, Feb.), proposed by Shuchu Chao, Board of Director
Social Justice: LGBT people, their Parents, and LGBT families Knowledge: Queer parents are equal to heterosexual parents Children of same-sex parents have normal and even advantaged cognitive, behavioral, and social development. Actions Understand how stigma and discrimination harm mental health. Be educated about LGBT issues. Advocate to create friendly environments for LGBT youth and their families.
Debates and Challenges If we take a clear stand for LGBT rights, will we lose clients who are conservative and/or anti-gay? Should we be neutral on these controversial issues ? Younger generation of counsellors and counselling psychologists are pushing the professional associations, local, and national unions to make a statement supporting equal rights for LGBT people.
Taiwan Counseling Psychologist Union TCPU (2015, Jan.) Based on the values of the counselling profession and a respect for human rights, the TCPU supports gender diversity in every aspect.
Reflective Thoughts What do we think a counsellor or counselling psychologist should be doing for their clients? What education/training is needed in order to better serve these clients?
Counseling LGBT Youth: A survey of attitudes towards LGBT individuals and training issues for school counsellors (Liu, & Chao, 2006) 38.6% of the participants agreed that LGBT students experienced different forms of assault or discrimination. 34% of the school counselors had worked with students who were discriminated against due to their sexual orientation, 10% had intervened in discrimination incidences to create a safe and friendly environment for LGBT students.
Dilemmas for LGB Counselling Psychologists in the Workplace T.H. Huang,,2014 Four counselors were interviewed, with 2 gay men, one lesbian, and one bisexual female. Results: 1. Should I be in or out of the closet? 2. Lack of resources, support and mentors in the counselling professional 3 Experiences of micro-aggressions: It s not obvious, but they feel excluded. 4. Working hard to transcend LGB stereotypes and stigmas.
After Ten Years NGOs are more active in implementing gender education than school counsellors. Taiwanese Feminist Scholars Association
For what should counsellors stand? Anti-LGBT religious groups GEE Act Educational NGOs, LGBT groups Counselling professionals?
Do we need to re-think counselling training? 2001 Passing licensure regulations for counselling psychologists 1970 2014 Student Guidance and Counselling Act Establishment of school guidance courses and teachers Same-Sex Marriage Debate GEEA, 2004
So are LGBT People Logo of Gender & Family Research Center, NCUE
