Constructing Sexualities and Gendered Bodies in School Spaces

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 1-12

3. The Schooling of Gendered Bodies and Sexualities

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 13-58

4. The Nordic Context: LGBTQ Civil Rights and Educational Policies on Gender and Sexual Minorities

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 59-95

5. The Institutionalization of Heteronormativity in Schools

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 97-146

6. Ethical Relationality and Heterotopic Spaces in Schools

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 147-175

7. Queering Schools, Queer Pedagogy

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 177-202

8. Beyond Queer Utopias and Post-gay Agendas

   • Jón Ingvar Kjaran

   Pages 203-210

9. Back Matter

   Pages 211-243

   PDF

This book sheds light on how sexuality and gender intersect in producing heteronormativity within the school system in Iceland. In spite of recent support for progressive policies regarding sexual and gender equality in the country, there remains a discrepancy between policy and practice with respect to LGBTQ rights and attitudes within the school system. This book draws on ethnographic data and interviews with LGBTQ students in high schools across the country and reveals that, although Nordic countries are sometimes portrayed as queer utopias, the school system in Iceland has a long road ahead in making schools more inclusive for all students.

• Nordic countries
• queer utopia
• LGBTQ+ youth
• Queering
• Queer Pedagogy
• Trans Youth
• Sexual Minorities

“This book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of sexuality and gender in schools, going beyond the borders of Iceland and the Nordic countries. It is a must read for all those interested in the field whether at the undergraduate, postgraduate, or professorial level.” (Debbie Epstein, Professor of Cultural Studies in Education in the School of Education, University of Roehampton, UK)

“Kjaran offers a rare and detailed study of everyday politics and practices of gender, sexuality, spatialization, and visual culture at school. It is also delightfully lucid, a pleasure to read, and a guide to action.” (Jeff Hearn, Professor Emeritus, Hanken School of Economics, Finland, and author of “Men of the World”)

“Through ground-breaking analysis, this brilliant ethnographic study shines a light on the experience of trans, queer, lesbian, gay, and bisexual students and their teachers in schools. This book should not only be read by teachers and school administrators in all levels but also by everyone else concerned with sexuality, gender equality, and education.” (Jukka Lehtonen, Senior Researcher in Gender Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland)

• School of Education, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland

  Jón Ingvar Kjaran

Jón Ingvar Kjaran is Assistant Professor of Sociology of Education, Gender and Sexuality at the University of Iceland. He is also a fellow at UNU-GEST (United Nations University on Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme). Kjaran has published several articles in various International Journals on gender equality, LGBTQ issues, and sexuality. 

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