Posted: March 31st, 2022

Modern stereotypes of masculinity and femininity among school children

Modern stereotypes of masculinity and femininity among school children

Gender stereotypes are widely held beliefs about the characteristics, behaviors and preferences of men and women. They are often based on social norms, cultural traditions and biological differences. Gender stereotypes can influence how people perceive themselves and others, and how they interact in various domains of life, such as family, education, work and leisure.

One of the domains where gender stereotypes are most prevalent and influential is school. School is a place where children learn not only academic skills, but also social skills, values and identities. School is also a place where children encounter and reproduce gender stereotypes through their interactions with peers, teachers, curricula and materials.

Gender stereotypes in school can have various negative consequences for children’s well-being, development and achievement. For example, gender stereotypes can limit children’s interests, choices and aspirations, especially in fields that are considered more suitable for the opposite sex. Gender stereotypes can also affect children’s self-esteem, motivation and performance, as well as their relationships with others. Moreover, gender stereotypes can contribute to the formation of gender biases and prejudices that can lead to discrimination, harassment and violence.

Some of the common gender stereotypes that children face in school are:

– Boys are better at math and science than girls
– Girls are better at languages and arts than boys
– Boys are more active, competitive and aggressive than girls
– Girls are more passive, cooperative and caring than boys
– Boys should be tough, strong and independent
– Girls should be nice, obedient and dependent

These stereotypes are often reinforced by the expectations and behaviors of teachers, parents and peers, as well as by the content and structure of the curriculum and the assessment system. For instance, teachers may praise boys more for their intellectual abilities and girls more for their appearance or behavior. Parents may encourage boys to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and girls to pursue careers in humanities or social sciences. Peers may tease or bully boys who show interest in feminine activities or girls who show interest in masculine activities.

However, these stereotypes do not reflect the reality or the diversity of children’s abilities, preferences and personalities. Research has shown that there are no inherent or consistent gender differences in cognitive abilities or academic achievement across subjects. Moreover, research has shown that children’s interests, motivations and behaviors are influenced by various factors, such as their individual characteristics, their family background, their cultural context and their learning environment.

Therefore, it is important to challenge and change the gender stereotypes that children encounter in school. This can be done by:

– Providing children with diverse and positive role models of both sexes who excel in various fields and activities
– Encouraging children to explore their interests and talents regardless of gender norms
– Supporting children’s self-confidence and self-expression without imposing gendered expectations or judgments
– Promoting a culture of respect, inclusion and equality among children of different genders
– Creating a curriculum that is gender-sensitive and that reflects the contributions and perspectives of both sexes
– Adopting a pedagogy that is gender-responsive and that caters to the needs and strengths of all learners
– Developing an assessment system that is gender-fair and that avoids bias or stereotyping

By doing so, we can help children to develop their full potential and to achieve their goals without being constrained by gender stereotypes. We can also help children to develop positive attitudes and values towards themselves and others regardless of gender differences. We can also help children to prepare for a future that is more diverse, inclusive and equitable.

References:

[1] Gender stereotypes in childhood: what’s the harm? – School of Education … https://www.bcu.ac.uk/education-and-social-work/research/cspace-blog/gender-stereotypes-in-childhood-whats-the-harm

[2] Children’s Gender Roles & Stereotypes | The Children’s Society https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/how-gender-roles-affect-young-people

[3] Is School Feminine? Implicit Gender Stereotyping of School as a … https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-013-0309-9

[4] Gender Stereotypes: Definition & Examples – Video & Lesson … https://study.com/academy/lesson/gender-stereotypes-definition-examples.html

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