Chapter 4
Rule of
women
in Society Group 3
Learning Objectives
Compare and contrast
sex and gender roles
Content Discuss gender and
Lesson 1 school and its related
Sex role and gender role Issues
Lesson 2
Gender and school and Share perceptions on
relates Issues gender equality.
Lesson 3
Gender Equality
Lesson 1
Sex role and gender role
A gender role is a set of societal norms dictating
what types of behaviors are generally considered
acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for a person
based on their actual or perceived sex.
The term "gender role' was first coined by John Money in
1955 during the course of his study of intersex individuals to
describe the manners in which these individuals express their
status as a male or female, in a situation where no clear
biological assignment exists.
Sex roles refer to socially coded behaviors and
practices often related to a person's reproductive
capacities, such as women with the roles of
motherhood and men with fatherhood.
The term sex role is often used interchangeably with the
term gender role, however, the modifier gender implies
roles may be socially or culturally produced whereas sex
implies roles may be naturally or biologically determined.
Gender theory is the study of what is understood
as masculine and/or feminine and/or queer
behavior in any given context, community, society,
or field of study (including, but not limited to,
literature, history, sociology, education, applied
linguistics, religion, health sciences, philosophy,
cultural studies).
Gender schema theory was formally introduced by Sandra
Bem in 1981 as a cognitive theory to explain how individuals
become gendered in society, and how sex-linked
characteristics are maintained and transmitted to other
members of a culture.
Gender schema theory was Introduced by
psychologist Sandra Bem in 1981 and asserted
that children learn about male and female roles
from the culture in which they live. According to
the theory, children adjust their behavior to align
with the gender norms of their culture from the
earliest stages of social development
Gender schema theory was formally introduced by
Sandra Bem in 1981 as a cognitive theory to explain how
individuals become gendered in society, and how sex-linked
characteristics are maintained and transmitted to other
members of a culture.
Bem argues that there are individual differences
in the degree to which people hold these gender
schemata.
The theory continues to inform researchers as they
investigate discrimination, stereotyping,
marginalized populations, and mental health.
4 Theoretical Perspectives on
Gender
1. Structural Functionalism—Structural
functionalism has provided one of the most
important perspectives of sociological research in the
twentieth century and has been a major influence on
research in the social sciences, including gender
studies.
Viewing the family as the most integral component
of society, assumptions about gender roles within
marriage assume a prominent place in this
perspective.
—Functionalists argue that gender roles were
established well before the pre-industrial era when
men typically took care of responsibilities outside of
the home, such as hunting, and women typically
took care of the domestic responsibilities in or
around the home.
These roles were considered functional because
women were often limited by the physical restraints
of pregnancy and nursing and unable to leave the
home for long periods of time.
2. Conflict Theory—According to conflict theory,
society is a struggle for dominance among social
groups (like women versus men) that compete for
scarce resources.
When sociologists examine gender from this
perspective, we can view men as the dominant
group and women as the subordinate group.
According to conflict theory, social problems are
created when dominant groups exploit or oppress
subordinate groups.
3. Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level
theory that focuses on meanings attached to
human interaction, both verbal and non-verbal,
and to symbols.
Communication—the exchange of meaning
through language and symbols—is believed to
be the way in which people make sense of their
social worlds.
4. Feminist theory feminist theory is a type of
conflict theory that examines inequalities and
gender related issues. It uses the conflict
approach to examine the maintenance of gender
rules and inequalities.
Agents of Socialization: Shaping
Who We Are
Socialization is the process by which individuals
learn the values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms of
their society. We are constantly learning and
adapting to our social environment, and this
process doesn't stop at childhood.
Agents of socialization are the individuals, groups,
or institutions that influence our socialization.
They play a crucial role in shaping our identities,
beliefs, and behaviors throughout our lives.
Here are some of the most prominent agents of
socialization:
1. Family: - Primary Agent: The family is often
considered the primary agent of socialization as it
is the first and most influential social group we
encounter.
- Early Learning: Children learn fundamental
values, beliefs, language, and behaviors from their
parents, siblings, and extended family members.
This includes everything from table manners to
religious beliefs to gender roles.
- Lifelong Impact: The values and beliefs instilled
during childhood often have a lasting impact on an
individual's personality, worldview, and social
interactions.
2. School: - Formal Learning: School provides a
structured environment for learning academic
knowledge, skills, and social norms. Teachers,
classmates, and school rules all contribute to the
socialization process.
- Socialization Beyond Academics: School also teaches
children how to interact with others in a formal setting, how to
follow rules and regulations, and how to behave in a group.
- Social Hierarchy: Schools can also be a site for
learning about social hierarchies, social
expectations, and the impact of social class on
one's experiences.
3. Peers: - Social Groups: Peers are individuals of
similar age, interests, and social status. They play
a significant role in shaping our social identities,
values, and behaviors, especially during
adolescence and young adulthood.
- Influence of Conformity: Peer groups often exert strong
pressure to conform to their norms and values. This can
lead to positive social development, but also to negative
behaviors like bullying, substance abuse, or risky behaviors.
- Social Support: Peers can also provide social
support, friendship, and a sense of belonging.
Mass media
Mass media- distribute impersonal information
to a wide audience, via television, newspapers,
radio, and the Internet.
-With the average person spending over four hours a day
in front of the television (and children averaging even
more screen time), media greatly influences social norms
(Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 2005).
-People learn about objects of material culture
(like new technology and transportation
options), as well as nonmaterial culture-what
is true (beliefs), what is important (values),
and what is expected (norms).
Religion -Religion is an important avenue of
socialization for many people. The United States
is full of synagogues, temples, churches,
mosques, and similar religious communities
where people gather to worship and learn.
-For some people, important ceremonies
related to family structure-like marriage and
birth-are connected to religious celebrations
-. Many religious institutions also uphold
gender norms and contribute to their
enforcement through socialization.
-From ceremonial rites of passage that reinforce the
family unit to power dynamics that reinforce gender
roles, organized religion fosters a shared set of
socialized values that are passed on through
society.
Lesson 2
Gender And School And Related
Issues
How Gender Disparities Affect Classroom
Learning
Kieran Chidi Nduagbo
- Schools are influential agents of socialization. They
play vital roles in how we make meaning of the
world around us, significantly affecting how we
perceive ourselves and others, as well as
differences across race, languages, disabilities, and
gender.
Gender and Learning
Thinking back to your own school days, you
might remember specific differences in the
way teachers treated boys and girls, such as
being reprimanded more severely or being
required to perform more.
Though many teachers do not deliberately decide to
treat boys and girls differently, these actions affect
learning (Erden & Wolfgang, 2004). In the early
elementary grades, this might look like gender
splitting by addressing
Gender and Development -
Gender development is a natural process for
all children. One of the vital ways educators
can support and encourage healthy gender
development in young children is by
understanding gender identity and how it
forms.
This might be masculine, feminine, a combination of the two,
in between, or neither (Rafferty, (2018). When children are
born, they are assigned a biological sex (male or female)
based on their physical characteristics. For many children,
their gender identity matches the gender-sex they were
assigned at birth.
How can Schools Respond to Gender
Differences and Expression?
-Schools should be a welcoming place for
students of all genders , including students
who identify as non-binary or transgender. So,
what can we do alleviate these issues related
to Gender in schools.
[Link] about Gender biases - Administration begin by
Encouraging teachers to take on reflective practices
through professional development and trainings to become
conscious of their own gender basis.
[Link] support in writing - Ensure that
gender acceptance is present in written and
visual signs and other symbols such as
registration forms, student information
system, and administrative regulations.
[Link] Classroom culture - Teachers
can create gender-inclusive classroom culture
by using gendered language such as friends'
scholars, or , students , and using literature to
introduce and discuss gender
[Link] gender stereotypes - The UN
Human rights office defines a gender
stereotype as a generalization about
characteristics and roles men or women
should have or perform (UN Human Rights
office of the high commissioner 2020). Fight
gender stereotypes with the following actions.
Raise awareness of the tending to rate boys higher
than girls in subject such as mathematics, science,
Engineering, and technology. This helps close the
gender equity among young mathematicians,
scientists, engineers, and technologist
•When teaching a text or film, require
students to Identify and analyze gender
stereotypes and expectations within the
context of the happiness do not stem from
physical appearances.
• Require students to critically think about
how power structures benefits from gender
stereotypes and what people can do to resist
them.
Lesson 3
Gender Equality
Gender equality, also known as sex equality,
gender egalitarianism, sexual equality, or equality
of the genders, is the view that everyone should
receive equal treatment and not be discriminated
against based on their gender.
Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy
the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of
society, including economic participation and decision
making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and
needs of women and men are equally valued and favored.
What is the difference between
Gender Equity and Gender Equality
Gender equity is the process of being fair to
women and men. To ensure fairness, strategies
and measures must often be available to
compensate for women's historical and social
disadvantages that prevent women and men
from otherwise operating on a level playing field.
Equity leads to equality.
Gender equality requires equal enjoyment by
women and men of socially-valued goods,
opportunities, resources and rewards. Where
gender inequality exists, it is generally women
who are excluded or disadvantaged in relation to
decision-making and access to economic and
social resources.
Role of Schools in Reinforcing Gender
Equality The gender inequities pervading society are carried
into the school environment.
This is evidenced in school processes such as
teaching, teacher-student interaction, school
management, and the plan and design of the
physical infrastructure.
The holistic intervention package in the role of schools in
reinforcing gender equality encompasses a comprehensive
approach to promoting inclusivity, challenging
stereotypes, and empowering students to embrace diverse
identities.
Key components of this package include:
1. Inclusive Curriculum: Schools ensure that
curriculum materials are inclusive of diverse
gender identities and experiences, challenging
traditional stereotypes and promoting a more
equitable representation of gender roles.
2. Teacher Training: Educators receive
training on gender sensitivity and
inclusivity, equipping them with the tools
to create a supportive and respectful
learning environment for all students.
3. Peer Education Programs: Schools
implement peer education programs that
encourage students to engage in discussions
about gender equality, challenging biases, and
fostering understanding and empathy among
peers.
4. Community Engagement: Schools collaborate
with community organizations and stakeholders to
promote gender equality beyond the classroom,
organizing awareness campaigns, workshops, and
events that involve parents and the wider
community.
5. Policy Development: Schools develop and
implement policies that address gender-based
discrimination, ensure equal opportunities for
all students, and create a culture of respect
and inclusivity within the school environment.
By integrating these components into a holistic
intervention package, schools can play a vital role in
reinforcing gender equality, empowering students to
become agents of change, and fostering a more
equitable and inclusive society for all.
The following are of ideas to promoting
gender equality in schools.
-Establish an award to recognize children who
promote equality.
- Do a play about gender equality in school.
- Write an equity column or article in the paper.
- Honor people who poster gender equity in their
work and life spirit. - Organize a walk ,race or athletic event for equity.
- Develop posters that promote equity.
- Create a videotape on gender equity.
- Reformulate or constrict an equitable workplace.
Role of Teacher's in Reinforcing Gender
Equality-
Teacher play a crucial role in every
classroom. They are the actors who shape the
success or failure of their students. Their
interpretation of the curriculum, interaction
with learners ,and way they assign duties
and homework ,are important factor in a child
schooling.
The following are some of the role of teachers
to reinforcing Gender equality.
- Teacher's educator themselves be gender sensitive
through gender awareness and sensitization
program.
-Teacher and teacher educator
should:
A. Conducting workshops.
B. Betricking engendered
classrooms organization and
interaction.
C. Introductory lessons on
gender.
D. Defocus on gender issues
within the existing syllabus
topic.
E. Analyzed gender issues in
instructional materials.
THANK
YOU
FOR
LISTENIN
