"Are you a man or a mouse?" asks the coach in Sweden's Christian Zetteberg's 9-minute short film "Shower Boys" released in 2021, and two 12-year-old boys embark on an exploration of the limits of sexuality and male friendship that culminates in a kissing each other in the showers. The multi-award winning film at children's and educational film festivals makes a comment on sex education and the stereotypes of masculinity that start very early in the school age of boys according to the reviews and the director's comment.
We learned about the existence of the film in the last few days through the incident that took place in a school in the municipality of Zografou. A drama teacher chose to show it to fourth graders. A boy came home at noon in a bad psychological state, he threw up and told his parents about the movie he saw last hour at school. The parents initially reacted with an out-of-court complaint against the teacher, which was shared with the school principal, primary education and the Ministry of Education, "in order to thoroughly investigate how ethical and pedagogical it is to show such a film to primary school students, as young as 10 years old". according to the statement of the family's lawyer who at another point specifically said "(...) this is a disgusting sight. We are talking about homosexual acts of boys in toilets that were presented to elementary school students" to finally clarify that "The stake here is the protection of children's minors, whether the content was heterosexual or homosexual, the reaction of the parents would be the same and we are asking for extrajudicial for the Ministry to answer us". Now the parents are proceeding with a lawsuit against the teacher and are reserving all their rights.
At this point we should say that the film in question has been approved by the Ministry of Education, but it is not intended to be shown to primary school students. Specifically, it is included through the platform CINEDU (national film streaming platform for the schools of the Hellenic Film Center) in the films that are suitable for screening in High School and not in Primary. However, the film in its country of production, Sweden, is classified as suitable for over 9 years, while on the website of the European Union of Children's Cinema it is referred to as suitable "over 12 years" and elsewhere it is indicatively indicated as the age for which this film is aimed at 11 years.
The issue received a huge amount of publicity in the press and on social media. Headlines on channels on sites such as "Teacher showed erotic film to elementary school students" were circulated. Announcements followed by the president of the Teaching Federation, Mr. of the Ministry of Education Alexandros Koptsis, the Institute of Educational Policy of the Ministry of Education, the Panhellenic Scientific Association of Theater Professionals P.E.S.Y.TH., the European Children's Film Association (ECFA), the scientific body Orlando LGBT+, which deals with the mental health of of LGBTI+ people and the film's director, Christian Zetteberg himself.
The uncomfortable dialogue on the topic of sex education, gender stereotypes and homosexuality opened up to the families and society of Greece in 2023 like Pandora's box and found them completely unprepared.
Before I started writing this, I had some related discussions with family and friends. The question to parents was "Would it bother you if your son saw this movie at school in the 4th grade?" and to my son who has turned 12 and is finishing the first year of high school, so he is in the official and approved by the Ministry target group, "How would you feel if you saw such a movie and how do you think your classmates would react?".
In general, the conclusion reached was that no, there would not be a problem given that the children had already had some relevant discussions on the subject from the family environment and were aware and familiar with the different types of sexuality. But what about the children whom no one had ever spoken to about all this and who in today's Greece seem to be many? There is obviously an issue that comes to be reinforced by the letter of the law, which in this case is not in favor of the teacher, as she made a choice in addition to not respecting the age limit. Obviously with good intentions, wanting to offer something more to her students and raise the issue of sex education. But good intentions in completely unprepared societies are obviously not enough.
Some parents are shocked and overreacted, others feel uncomfortable having to talk about the topic they've been avoiding for as long as they can, and a few less have no problem and feel safe as they've invested in discussions of sex education and guidance for children. their.
And the children;
In our story there is a child who got so upset that he threw up. Is it the exception? I can't answer that. Of course, judging by common occurrences of primary school children commenting on the color of boys' clothes, or the colorful Benetton logo that they see as the symbol of the LGBTI community, apparently most children know that gay people exist.
And my son?
He told me that he knows about the incident because he read a related article on his cell phone. He hadn't mentioned it to me before I asked him. They didn't discuss it at school, he told me. No one said anything to him, nor did he speak about it; he did not care. And no, he told me, after thinking about it, he wouldn't have a problem watching such a movie at school, but he imagines there would be some awkwardness in the classroom and maybe some sly and playful comments. And that no one ever talked to them about sex, sexual education and sexual orientation either in elementary or high school and that everything they know about the subject for a long time is from conversations with our parents and various movies and series that they watch or we see "I've seen so many gay couples on TV, they're everywhere"…
And here comes another issue. In the hyper-effort within the framework of political correctness that has been intensively made in the last at least five years in favor of the tolerance of diversity and against gender stereotypes, there are not many films or series where at least some of the secondary characters are not gay. And many parents feel an embarrassment about this quota, which they feel does not correspond to the percentages of the gay and LGBTI community within the societies. And the kids, both through TV, streaming and TikTok and the like are aware.
But are they actually informed and familiar?
And this is the big issue that as an educational and social system we will have to cope with.
The issue is neither the teacher in question, who seems to have acted rather inappropriately, nor the films and cinema which throughout time touch on the theme of first love affairs, but between boys and girls. Heterosexuality does not create embarrassment, child shock and vomiting, nor parents' protests and litigation. But homosexuality, yes.
But now I think we're not just talking about homosexuality, which children start to become familiar with relatively early for all the reasons we mentioned above.
Modern parents' embarrassment about gender stereotypes and homosexuality differs from the embarrassment and taboos of previous generations. Today, a parent about sexuality education has to deal with more complex parameters put forward by the spirit of the age of the woke movement and political correctness, such as explaining to a child that the sexes are not two, male and female; that there is asexual and neuter, that modern family structures require references not to mom or dad, but to parent A and parent B, that some people decide to change gender, and so on. Many parents worry about where the line is between a liberal upbringing so that children feel emotionally safe with their choices and the choices of their friends or people in general, and whether we are dealing with a trend or a fad. And in fashions, as is well known, children are particularly susceptible. When, in fact, the Greek family still has few such examples in its social fabric, the difficulty of explaining these phenomena increases.
But if we think that children in elementary school don't slowly build personality, character, discover inclinations, explore, even at an early stage, their sexuality, we are hiding behind our finger.
And that's why we need to help parents, state and school so that we don't have children who throw up after seeing a kiss between two boys or girls...
…
The following are the announcements of persons of institutions on the subject:
The president of the Teaching Federation:
According to what the president of the Teaching Federation, Thanasis Kikkinis, tells ethnos.gr, the film has been awarded since 2021 and is suitable for children. He argued that the teacher's aim was to demonstrate the negative behavior of the gymnast who appears in the film and encourages stereotypes such as "to be a man you have to be tough" and that there is no sexual content (it does not show erotic context).
The c.g. of the Ministry of Education:
Referring to the matter, the governor of the Ministry of Education, Alexandros Koptsis underlined that: "On Friday 19/5, a parent's protest regarding this issue was reported. Immediately on the same day, it was sent to the relevant DPE (Directorate of Primary Education) and asked to check and investigate the incident thoroughly and to inform us about it in order to find out exactly what happened. As soon as we see the results of the investigation, we will make a decision according to the existing legislation."
The Institute of Educational Policy:
In a related statement, he clarifies that "he has not approved the films that are posted on the digital film platform "CINEDU" of the Hellenic Cinema Center".
The European Children's Film Association ECFA:
"A few days ago, a wave of moral panic appeared in the Greek electronic and print media, on the occasion of the screening of a film that won awards at international children's film festivals in a school in Athens ("Shower Boys", Christian Zetterberg, 2021, Sweden, 9') .
There is little point in arguing whether the film was porn, as was directly stated or implied in TV broadcasts and various publications – if these reporters had seen the film before passing judgment, they would have known that it was not.
But it makes sense to talk about the substance, especially on behalf of the European Children's Film Association (ECFA), a body that collectively expresses the community of all those bodies concerned with connecting the art of cinema with childhood and education in Europe. ECFA's 163 members in 42 countries are film festivals, film education bodies, film producers and distributors, national film centers etc. The majority of these bodies work closely with formal education across Europe.
- The film “Shower Boys” received the ECFA Best Short Film Award 2022. The awards are selected by the members based on ECFA principles and in particular:
- The film selected must cover basic accepted principles of our society, such as tolerance, non-violence, self-development, solidarity, etc.
- The film chosen must respect children's perspectives and tell the story in ways that children can understand and identify with.
- The film selected must promote emancipatory feelings, support diversity and inclusivity and respect equality.
The professionalism in the production of the film can be seen as a sign of respect for the young audience.
These principles of the ECFA are of course progressive and it is certain that some will shudder with disgust when reading them. They are also aligned with what the Greek legal order imposes, having incorporated the general international assumptions on which our world operates today – the Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European Convention on Exercise of the Rights of the Child
So if a question is posed to Greek society with the case that we sadly saw unfold last week in the Greek (for now) public sphere, it is the following: Who is the guardian of children's rights? And finally, if we do not allow teachers to guide them safely and on the basis of their training in the meaningful realization of their rights, what is the role of the school in modern society?
In our opinion, the creators of the art of cinema, like any art, have the right to express themselves and it is the duty of our societies to shape the avenues through which the art will reach without exclusions to all its members, and to children .
The intensity of the reaction of some ultra-conservative voices to a nine-minute short film that speaks poignantly and soberly to just how easily one can neutralize these voices with one's attitude clearly shows the power of the film medium and gives us the strength to continue undaunted our activities".
The Panhellenic Scientific Association of Theatologists P.E.S.I.T.:
"The Panhellenic Scientific Association of Theater Professionals expresses its opposition to the cannibalism that was left unchecked in the media and social networking, against the colleague, who, with the right pedagogical intention, showed an award-winning and approved film to her students. There are no erotic or inappropriate scenes in the film, as falsely circulated. We also remind you that sexual education, as well as the issues of gender stereotypes, have their place in the Primary School through the Skills Workshops, in which the teachers were trained by the state. The pedagogical, psychosocial and didactic goals of Education arise from competent institutional bodies and the Analytical Programs, which provide guidelines, while respecting the pedagogical freedom of the teacher. The School's right and duty to foster critical thinking, democratic values and inclusion does not need the approval of the internet mob and ultra-conservative circles. We believe that Education will become better through cooperation and fruitful dialogue between teachers and parents and not through easy and passionate complaints.
We support the colleague and are against any attempt to slander and intimidate a teacher.
THE "Shower Boys" director Christian Zetteberg
"It came to our attention that our film, 'Boys in the Shower', was published in the Greek media. The reason concerns the alleged complaint of a parent against a teacher who showed the film to a group of children.
There have been claims that this short film is of an erotic nature and depicts sexual incidents between children. These claims are without any logic and, as directors, we cannot understand how the film and its theme could be interpreted in this way. This movie shows absolutely nothing of the sort.
This misinformation that has been rampant in some Greek Media is shockingly wrong and, really, we have serious doubts that any of the makers of these claims have seen the film.
'Boys in the Shower' tells a story of male friendship, how two very good friends explore the norms of masculinity, what it means to 'be a man' and, ultimately, how their friendship is both challenged and supported by the adults around them. It is a world-renowned film, with multiple awards to its credit, including the Best European Short Film for Children, from the prestigious ECFA (European Children's Film Association), which in fact bears the patronage of several European film institutes, among them the Helliniko Cinema Center.
'Shower Boys' is used daily on educational platforms across Europe and has been seen by thousands of children since its first screening in 2021. We wholeheartedly support the teacher's decision to use the film in the classroom. Films should be discussed and debated, but it is undeniably problematic when claims are made on a completely false basis. We hope that the Greek public will show critical thinking, filtering the information that is being shaken at the moment, and that people will find time to watch the film if they get the chance."
Announcement of the scientific body Orlando LGBT+:
"Since yesterday, on her own initiative, the case of a mother who lost custody of her children because of her supportive and affirming attitude towards the gender identity of the youngest of them, a transgender girl of about 7 years, has been shared.
With this text we would first like to clarify the following:
As a scientific body specializing in the mental health and rights of LGBTI+ people, we are unwilling and unable to judge in its entirety any court custody decision whose details we do not know, a case that may involve a multitude of elements for one family, parents' behavior, children's needs and everything else.
What we wish and must do, however, is to judge and communicate our position against any transphobic, unscientific and ultimately abusive argument reproduced by a judicial authority at the expense of a trans child, and ends up becoming one of the main (if not the only) factor of the court's judgment, on the basis of which a child is forcibly removed from its mother. Arguments expressed by the court acquire a generalizing force and become potentially threatening for every trans child and his parents who are in the process of seeking the best possible support for him.
Based on the above, we were informed that the court in question took custody of the 7-year-old child from his mother with the main argument being her own attitude towards the gender identity of her child, as expressed here.
Specifically, the court, among other problematic and non-existent positions regarding gender identity, decided literally that "from the lessons of common experience, a 6-year-old child cannot be sure of his gender choice and that even if there is a difference from at this age parents should not steer it in one direction or another."
The court's reasoning on the issue is interspersed with arbitrary and unscientific conclusions about how a child's gender identity can and cannot be expressed at this age, that the recognition of their self-identification by the environment (e.g. with the recognition of the name, pronouns and clothing desired) can be a hasty, obsessive and exaggerated movement and many more.
In fact, the mother's attitude towards the recognition/investigation of her child's gender identity is the only reason that is clearly and in detail mentioned in the court decision and seems to lead to it. The decision in question is, as far as we know, the first decision of a Greek court regarding parental custody related to the issues in question. For these reasons we consider it critical and its consequences potentially very harmful for every trans/gender-changing child and their parents, because it gives an institutional mantle to unscientific arguments. Thus, it is central not only to any family litigation, but also because it sets the tone for how parents should ultimately treat their children when they do not identify with the sex assigned to them at birth and acts as a deterrent and potentially intimidating to any parent who decides to follow the obvious, i.e. to comply with the scientific data and deal with the upbringing of their child in a similar way, respecting their rights and their psycho-emotional and developmental needs.
With this text, we therefore clarify the following again, according to the most up-to-date and valid scientific data:
– a person's gender identity can be recognized by them at any age, including infancy and early childhood.
– the affirming attitude of the parents and the environment (respect for the child's self-determination, use of the name/pronouns he prefers, respect for his gender expression, etc.) is NOT a directive attitude or hetero-identification, but respect for the child's process regarding his gender and the only scientifically valid and psycho-emotionally protective attitude of the environment towards the child.
– Any other attitude of the environment, especially in the long term, towards a transgender child/child who is exploring his gender, is a potentially harmful behavior that leads to the emergence or worsening of mental health challenges, including anxious and depressive symptoms, self-harm, suicide and more.
In fact, any persistent and repeated attitude/behavior of parents and/or the environment and/or psychosocial support professionals not to recognize the gender identity with which a child defines himself, and/or to insist on forcibly directing him towards the gender identity that attributed to him when he was born contrary to the wishes expressed by him, may contain elements of conversion therapies - i.e. organized practices and behaviors of adults with the aim of changing the child's self-identification, an act that has recently been criminalized under Greek legislation, as abusive and dangerous .
For more detailed data we have compiled a report with the necessary valid scientific data on the issue which is available for any legal use, signed by the most academically and clinically experienced members of our scientific team (Avgi Saketopoulou, Elena-Olga Christidis, Nancy Papathanasiou) .
The report is posted on our website.
We regret that this data does not seem to have been taken into account by the court in question, just as the court did not consider it important, recognizing any ignorance as to the scientific data to be relied upon, to call upon a person with specialized scientific knowledge and experience on in the matter to clarify any questions of the court and lead it to a reasonable and fair decision.
We hope for an immediate redress of this court decision in a way that respects and follows modern scientific data, as well as the Charter of Children's Rights.
For more information and bibliography, you can refer to the relevant chapters of our collective volume (Inclusion and Resilience, Gutenberg editions).
Transgender children's rights are human rights."
*Cover photo: Shot from the movie Shower Boys