Gender
Sometimes it is hard to understand exactly what is meant by the term "gender", and how it differs from the closely related term "sex".
Definition according to World Health Organization (WHO):
"Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.
"Gender" refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.
To put it another way:
"Male" and "female" are sex categories, while "masculine" and "feminine" are gender categories.
Since we can all remember, society has constructed gender roles that have dictated what it means to be a male and female. This can face some students with challenges because they don't exactly fit into the mould in which society has carved out for them. These students need to know that your classroom is a safe place where they can be themselves. How can we expect someone to learn when they don't feel comfortable being who they are?
Definition according to World Health Organization (WHO):
"Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.
"Gender" refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.
To put it another way:
"Male" and "female" are sex categories, while "masculine" and "feminine" are gender categories.
Since we can all remember, society has constructed gender roles that have dictated what it means to be a male and female. This can face some students with challenges because they don't exactly fit into the mould in which society has carved out for them. These students need to know that your classroom is a safe place where they can be themselves. How can we expect someone to learn when they don't feel comfortable being who they are?
Helpful Strategies
1. Explain that there are many women and men who break the stereotype in their occupation.
(male nurses, female plumbers, etc.) |
2. Do not scold a child for experimenting with roles associated with the opposite gender.
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3. Monitor your own behavior as a role model. Do you treat both genders the same?
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Class Activity: Gender of Identical Dolls
Get two identical dolls, dress one in blue and the other in pink. Write down 12 mixed up gender stereotypical words for both male and female roles. Then get the students to assign 6 'words' to one of the dolls. You will find students will assign the words based solely on the color of the dolls clothes. This can give an opportunity for a class discussion about gender based upon the student's results.
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Reading Material
Local Resources
1. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
(The federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws) Phone: 1(800) 669-4000 |
2. Women's Law Project
125 S. 9th Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: 215-928-9801 Fax: 215-928-9848 |
3. Berks Talkline Inc.
P. O. Box 13234 Reading, PA 19612 Phone: 610-921-9820 |