My only point is that the Short Haired Non-Sexualized Female Soldier is a trope as well. It's not as common, but it's fairly consistent and you can see it in: Vasquez, Trinity, Starbuck on BSG, Lady Jaye (GI Joe), Carter on Stargate, Carmen Ibanez (in the original book of Starship Troopers) et al.
I think Trinity and Starbuck were sexualized for at least part of their respective roles. Trinity in the shiny catsuit and Starbuck in at least one "I'm a hot babe in a dress" scene. Carter, too, for that matter, what with that wet bra scene in SG:A. Granted, the last was in the head of a man known for inappropriately sexualizing Carter, but it's not like the producers said, "Gee, this is inappropriate for the character so we need keep it off screen."
I think that Starbuck can be and should be allowed to be a hot babe in a dress as well as a kick-ass pilot and cardsharp. But I also think this undercuts the idea of her being part of a non-sexualized warrior woman trope.
In semi-related news, did y'all know that Netflix has Xena available for streaming? I think that's how I'll be spending my morning.
New Starbuck was highly sexed and sexual. Maybe because she was the sexual aggressor she wasn't considered sexualized?
Juliebird, her conversational quirks sound A LOT like my son who is on the autism spectrum. He will repeat questions over and over again sometimes because he can't properly process the auditory answers very well and might need some visual queues in some cases. Also, no social skills and no personal boundaries are an indicator. Girls are less likely to be diagnosed with AS disorders until they are older.
When she asks if you're mad, can you maybe point out that she asks the same questions over and over and see where you can help with answers that she can understand? You might just need to practice more and more patience with this particular kid.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE shut down the teasing and mocking if you see it. These kids need to be called out if they're picking on this girl or mocking her behind her back. That kind of pack mentality will only get worse. Take the initiative to point out how maybe they can help her or accept her the way she is rather than mock or tease.
Timelies all!
Need to shower and dress. Don't wanna.
Cashmere, thank you so much.
How do I talk to the mean girls if I'm only suspecting that the girl is autistic?
No need to point anything out other than the fact that they're being mean little assholes. She's different--and that isn't justification for them to make fun of her. Tell them you won't tolerate it and follow through.
She might be irritating, but I am certain there are things the other girls do that are irritating to others.
Juliebird, my thoughts about the situation were similar to Cash's. I think you need to establish that teasing or bullying is not permitted in this group and then enforce that, if you have the authority.
eta: I posted while you were posting, but I think you just tell them that teasing and bullying is not allowed. And if they do it, you take action. I'm not sure what your options are, but I think you have to first explain and then be prepared to back it up by restricting the fun stuff in some way.
I still feel like a complete ass that apparently my mistake first thing that morning opened up the behind-the-scenes mocking and then I was off with another school group (like watching an alien species, David Attenbourough should have been narrating!) and didn't find out until the kids had left for the weekend.
I'll have to have a pow-wow with the other counselor and the education manager next week.
Thanks, Steph!
But, beyond the bullies, now I'm extra worried about how to interact with the girl.
