This was another really interesting an insightful module. This module has deepened my understanding and awareness of gender and its impact in the classroom. We have all heard the statements “boys are better at sport than girls” or “boys don’t cry”. Stereotypes underpin prejudice and discrimination and place constraints on people’s lives. Society works to confine behaviour within rigid lines. From an early age children are taught which colours, toys, games and books are for boys and which for girls. Choices about what they will play with or wear are made for younger children and, by the time they come to make their own, they have already learnt what is expected of them and will often behave accordingly. Many children’s books and TV programmes still portray a world in which boys are Postman Pat and girls Princesses.
Research has demonstrated how classroom discussions about gender constructions and using literature as a vehicle for deconstructing stereotypes can have a significant impact on educational engagement and learning.
Using Aistear is also an invaluable activity, which allows children to play different roles and challenge traditional stereotypes.
