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Gender

Gender issues for girls in schools

• --encouragement to be less passive
• --prepared to be independent/prevent poverty
• --have choices in careers
• --Improve Math/Science/Technology  (MST) participation
• --Improve self-esteem for adolescent girls
• --prevent sexual harassment
• --Develop self-awareness skills—good choices/positive relationship
• --Develop leadership skills, equal voice in the classroom
• --Develop unique qualities of women/equity in women’s tone.

Classroom practice

• Awareness of stereotyping
• Be aware of treatment in the classes—equal time/encourage leadership
• Be aware of stereotypes in books etc.
• Have empowering resources
• Role models in MST
• Find ways to incorporate women’s interests in MST
• Be aware of attitudes and expectations towards girls
• Avoid gender teasing/harassment
• Encourage leadership for women
• Reward women’s ways of knowing—reflection about what this means

Goals for boys in gender issues in schools

• Avoid certain male Masculinities being encouraged to the exclusion of others
• Avoid some males being disadvantaged due to the above
• Encourage boys to express feelings, and address underdeveloped communication skills
• Question competitiveness
• Address the higher tendency of boys to underachieve in schools
• Address the issue of more boys involved in crime
• Address the issue of boys under excelling in arts

Practice

• Be aware of stereotyping
• Encourage empathy and communication skills
• Be aware of abilities and expectations
• Encourage arts, creativity and English
• Encourage co-operation rather than domination/competition
• Provide reflection/discussion around other masculinities
• Discourage harassment
• Encourage respect for women
• Have diversity in educational programming to respond to boys needs