Untitled Document

TOPIC: AGender Issues@

Lesson Element .1: AGender Stereotyping@

Learning to Confront Gender Stereotypes:

There are lots of gender stereotypes in the community, and they can and do change.

These stereotypes are often detrimental because we don=t allow people to escape from them.
They also can be detrimental because we allow the stereotype to rule our expectations in negative ways.

School often subtly reinforces stereotypes.

There are stereotypes of women=s behavior in textbooks.

Teachers will frequently call on boys more often than girls.

Rough estimate that this occurs in 80% of the classrooms.

This isn=t because the teacher wants to call on boys more than girls, instead, the teacher is just unconsciously playing out an automatic stereotype.

A Negative Side Effect of Destructive Stereotypes is how They Influence Self-Image.

Some people will believe set stereotypes about themselves, and fulfill the stereotype through their own actions.

This is known as the self-fulfilling prophecy.

We need to learn how to escape from stereotypes, not only in terms of the ways they cause us to interact with other people, but also the way they cause us to think about ourselves.

Constructing Appropriate Role Models is Part of Dealing with Gender Issues.

Teachers need to be sensitive to the needs of female students.

Teachers need to call on their female students in equal proportion to their male students.

Teachers need to demonstrate confidence in their students= abilities.

This awareness of gender stereotypes is applicable to both male and female teachers.

Lesson Element .2: AGender Equity@

Gender Stereotypes Sometimes Get Twisted Around.

Male participation in women=s issues is often resented.

Some feminists object to males attending women=s issues oriented courses.

White participation in Black History Month celebrations is not popular.

The white person is often made to feel not welcome.

The idea of women=s studies classes and black history month is a necessary component of moving our society towards a higher level of awareness.

Although it is true that there are some circumstances where women or men to get together among themselves, or for blacks to get together among themselves, it should not be the norm.

These type of activities are helpful only if they are focused on directed activity that promotes awareness and doesn=t have a sub-text of separation.

Although sometimes women will feel better about talking about things if men aren=t around, you must be very careful in terms of balancing so that the negative fall out of having an exclusive private club type gathering doesn=t occur.

Gender Equity, Not Gender Equality Should be the Focus Point.

Dr. Allen believes that anything we do in society that separates us is wrong.

Focusing our attention on such things may be the ultimate way of getting over that kind of separatism.

Focusing attention towards the problems that stereotyping cause is part of the solution.

The default solution is to perpetuate some of the stereotypes. Not acceptable.

If we simply behave the way we always have behaved, things will continue to be gender discriminatory because that=s the way society has been constructed.

Example: Female Foot binding in China.
Now an outlawed process. Attention caused it=s demise.

Lesson Element .3: AGender Expectations@

We Need to Learn How to Avoid Extremes in Our Thinking.

One doesn=t necessarily need to be exclusively strong or feminine.

The choice shouldn=t be limited to one or the other.
A person can be both strong and feminine.

One doesn=t necessarily need to be exclusively dependent or independent.

The choice isn=t necessarily limited to either total dependence, or total independence.
Both men and women can be some of both appropriate to circumstances.
Everyone needs a balance of both.

As Women Gain a Senses of Equality and Equity During This Transition Time, We Often Don=t Know How to Respond to It.

Whom do you open doors for? Only women, or simply open it because you are nearest to it?

Older generations have more of a problem with this simple issue.
The younger generation is more inclined to hold the door simply because they are closest, without any regard for gender.

Uncertain expectations are another part of this transition time.

People are confused whether a woman is expected to be feminine, or is expecting the man to be strong at any particular moment in time.

Women don=t know whether to respond to a man independently, or whether it will turn him off and make him feel that she is not feminine.

The key to this dilemma is to realize that such inconsistencies are occurring and be tolerant as they are encountered.

Society Needs to Strike a Balance In Regards to Gender Expectations.

The pendulum of social expectations swing back and forth.

Arc includes very dependent women at one end and burning feminist at the other.

A balance between extremes is what is needed.

Assertiveness without stridency.
Independence without losing a sense of femininity.
A balance that doesn=t require a unisex overlay.

Dr. Allen believes that society as a whole has become more feminine, but:

Society is still dominated by masculine traits such as aggression and stridency.

Society needs to become more gentle and nurturing and take on some feminine characteristics.

Society doesn=t need to become a feminine society, but needs to become a balanced society with both masculine and feminine traits.

Lesson Element .4: AGender Issues and Personal Responsibility@

There Should be Male Responsibility for Women=s Issues.

Males have responsibility to model appropriate behavior towards women.

Responsible for both gaining and sharing information.
Responsible for giving females support in women=s consciousness.
Responsibility to intervene when inappropriate action or behavior takes place.
Example: Sexist jokes.
It is hard for men to get used to refusing to listen to a sexist joke.
However, when you listen to such a joke without challenging it, you are tacitly supporting that sexism.
You may choose to challenge one on one or if it is a trend, at some point let your objections be known. It is a personal judgement call, and a very hard one at that.

Society as a Whole is Making Some Progress.

We have shown a higher level of sensitivity in terms of accepting that this is everybody=s agenda to deal with.

We have accepted that there is legitimacy in men getting involved in women=s issues and legitimacy in focusing attention on the problems.

Society also had largely focused attention on gender issues without producing another kind of separatism.

paying attention to cultural and multicultural issues is not negative. It is part of a necessary process.

If We as a Society Handle the Issues Correctly, We can Achieve a Common Goal of a More Balanced Society.

Then it will not be necessary to focus on gender equality, because such equality will be a comfortable reality.

Lesson Element .5: AAbstract on Gender Issues@

Gender Stereotypes Often Lead to Inequality in the Classroom.

This can occur without the teacher becoming aware of it.

It is often demonstrated by the way the teacher interacts with the students.

Female students are sometime left feeling inadequate or frustrated.

Participation in activities like women=s studies classes or support groups can strengthen and encourage the females.

However, the purpose of these activities should not be exclusionary, but instead, facilitate a long term effect for the common good.

Education Needs to Develop Gender Equity in the Classroom.

Both male and female students need to receive the same opportunities and encouragement in all areas of education.

Gender Stereotypes Create Exclusionary Situations.

One doesn=t have to be totally feminine or masculine, dependent or independent.

A wise teacher will encourage their students to develop all aspects of their mind and character.

During Times of Transition, Our Expectations Become Uncertain.

Our society swings from one extreme to another.

We each need to take on establishing gender equality as a personal responsibility.

We need to find a balance between masculine and feminine, and our society is fortunately showing an increased sensitivity in regard to gender issues.