The master's thesis addresses the topic of intersex topics in the Slovenian elementary school curricula. The thesis includes a review of the theory of intersex and its integration into educational systems in foreign countries. The research part of the thesis examines whether intersex topics are included in Slovenian elementary schools through their curricula and how it is designed.
In the theoretical part of the thesis, I focus on the fact that intersex people often face violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to bodily integrity, privacy, and health. They are discriminated against in many areas, including education. Findings show that being intersex is rarely addressed in foreign educational settings. This contributes to ignorance and the development of prejudices among students and teachers. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance that the topic of intersex is appropriately included in the curricula, ensuring the use of inclusive language that does not discriminate based on sex characteristics. In this way, schools as educational and formative institutions can contribute to a greater understanding and acceptance of intersex people.
The findings of the theoretical part of the thesis led to the design of a study, the main objective of which was to analyze the inclusion of intersex topics in the Slovenian elementary school curricula and the use of inclusive language within them. I aimed to investigate whether and how the inclusion of intersex topics is anticipated in the elementary school curricula for subjects such as biology, civic education and ethics, society, geography, home economics, Slovenian language, environmental studies, and history. Specifically, I was interested in whether the inclusion of intersex topics is anticipated in elementary schools and in which subjects. I was also interested in how such inclusion of intersex topics is anticipated, or in what way it is discussed. Is it understood as something mundane and normal, or as a medical pathology? When writing and speaking about this topic, it is also important to consider what language is used and whether it is inclusive. For this reason, I also examined whether the curricula are written in a gender-inclusive manner.
The research showed that none of the selected Slovenian curricula addresses intersex topics. Moreover, inclusive language is rarely used when addressing sex categories, which contributes to the invisibility of intersex people.
These findings have led to the development of proposals for addressing intersex issues in teaching and curricula, as well as guidelines for the use of inclusive language.
This master's thesis makes an important contribution to the understanding of intersex and emphasizes the need for changes in society, especially in the education system. Improving the situation for intersex people requires systematic changes in legislation, educational practices, and societal understanding of gender.
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