The term "emotional labor" refers to the work that individuals perform in order to regulate their own feelings and those around them in order to maintain positive social relations. In many contexts, including education, emotional labor is an essential part of professional life.
For LGBTQ+ educators, this can be especially challenging due to the heteronormativity inherent in many educational systems.
Explanation of Emotional Labor
Emotional labor refers to the work that individuals do to manage their own emotions and the emotions of others in order to create or maintain social connections. It involves managing one's own emotions, expressing emotions appropriately, and responding to the emotions of others. This type of work can take various forms, such as acting happy even when feeling sad, smiling at customers who are upset, or pretending to enjoy an activity that one actually dislikes.
Heteronormativity in Education
Heteronormativity refers to the assumption that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is the norm. This can lead to implicit biases against queer people and creates barriers to inclusion and acceptance. In many educational settings, teachers may feel pressure to conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity in order to fit into a heteronormative environment.
Performing Emotional Labor as a Queer Teacher
For queer teachers, performing emotional labor can become particularly difficult in a heteronormative system. They may have to suppress their true identities, hide their relationships, and avoid discussing topics related to their sexuality in order to fit in with the expectations of their colleagues and students. This can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and burnout.
The Impact on Students
The emotional labor performed by queer teachers also has an impact on their students. When teachers are not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, it sends a message to students that being queer is something to be hidden or ashamed of. This can contribute to negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals and create a hostile environment for those who identify as such.
Emotional labor is an important part of professional life, but it can be especially challenging for queer educators in a heteronormative system. By concealing their identities and suppressing their emotions, they risk creating a hostile environment for themselves and their students. It is crucial that schools work to create more inclusive environments where all teachers can feel safe and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
What emotional labor do queer teachers perform in heteronormative systems?
Queer teachers often engage in emotional labor in heteronormative systems by navigating social interactions that involve discussions about their sexual orientation and gender identity. This can include managing awkwardness, avoiding confrontation, and negotiating boundaries with colleagues, students, and parents who may hold biased views on these topics.