A Study on Gender-based Bullying in Australian High Schools-Take LGBTIQ Student Support Policy as an Example
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61173/tazdvk97Keywords:
Teenagers, Sexuality Education, Education Policy, Critical Policy Analysis, Gender-based BullyingAbstract
This thesis provides an in-depth investigation of gender-based bullying in Australian high schools through a critical policy analysis of a relevant sexuality education policy text – LGBTIQ Student Support. The thesis summarises the general phenomenon of gender-based bullying among teenagers and points out the existence of the disconnection between policy and practice – including the unclear definitions in academic materials and policy texts regarding “bullying”, as well as the tendency of individuals to be “silenced” within the high school environment. The thesis subsequently provides an in-depth analysis of the selected policy text, exploring the underlying political discourses as well as the sexual political preferences within the policy. Further, the thesis evaluates the current state of the policy and its practice, revealing its issues and limitations, meanwhile providing certain possible suggestions for further development regarding gender-based bullying. The continuous focus on the issue of gender-based bullying among teenagers is significant, with further support from academic research, actual practices and politics should be provided – to address the disconnection status between policy texts and practices, and to achieve the objective of “improved solutions”. At the same time, the perspective of teenagers is significant and needs to be incorporated into future research and practices to enhance the responsiveness of the result.