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  Case: Don't Hold Hands
Ade and Elsa are two 7th grade girls from Indonesia who joined our school couple months ago. I teach them Physical Science. They have well-developed English skills. Although they have an accent, they can communicate with teachers and fellow students. I am very sensitive to the needs of newly-arrived immigrant students, so I paid close attention when I heard rumors from other students about them. Students started spreading that Ade and Elsa were in a lesbian relationship. Apparently Ade and Elsa heard about the rumors; they came to me in tears. I asked them to tell me what was going on. What I found out was very interesting. Ade and Elsa have known each other since they were small children and they have always been best friends. Their families decided to move to the US together. Their fathers applied for jobs in the same company. They both received offers and moved together. Ade and Elsa were excited about going to the same school in US and continuing their friendship. In Indonesia, same-gender friends holding hands is very common and indicates friendship. When children at our school saw Ade and Elsa holding hands they thought that Ade and Elsa were in a lesbian relationship. I have to do something about this. I see two options before me: I will explain to the children in my classes that friends holding hands in some cultures is completely normal, or I will tell Ade and Elsa to not hold hands to avoid these rumors. The second option seems culturally insensitive, but if Ade and Elsa continue holding hands, rumors will continue even if I explain to my students the cultural side of their friendship. What should I do? If you have an original solution to this issue, please advice.
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
In this situation, I would first have a meeting with the young ladies' and their parents to explain why the other students are spreading rumors about them and the cultural implication that holding hands has in the United States. I would neither tell them to stop holding hand nor continue holding hands but make them aware that if they continue to do so the rumors might not stop. I would want them to make their own decision because this may be the first of many they will have to make as their culture collides with the culture of the United States. It would also be a good idea to meet with the principal to see if they is any way to implement a culture day, where students could present information on their various cultures, if the school where you teach is culturally diverse. This way students could become more aware of the norms of other cultures. In addition, having a culture forum for the teachers and collaborating with them to incorporate more culture related activities would also be a good idea. Sometimes teachers share the same opinions as the students so it would be necessary to have a forum where they understand the importance of understanding cultural differences.