Children's agencies navigating sexism and LGBTI+ phobia in Santiago de Chile's primary school

Abstract

Through their talk, actions and interactions, children actively shape and develop notions of gender and sexuality. This research delves into the realm of children's agency to explore the ways children act and react to instances of sexism and LGBTI+ phobia. Within the context of a Gender Equity Education Program in a Chilean primary school, this study employs participatory‐action research, integrating participatory methods and participant observation, acknowledging the significance of children's agencies in knowledge construction. Analytically, a feminist post‐structuralist lens is applied to examine children's experiences, unveiling distinct categories of agencies, namely ‘reproducers’ and ‘challengers’ of the dominant discourse.