6.2 Educational institutions and gendered experiences
3 min read•july 22, 2024
Educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping gender norms. Schools influence students through curriculum, , and . These factors can reinforce or challenge traditional , impacting how children view themselves and others.
persist in education, from subject choices to career aspirations. While progress has been made towards equality, stereotypes and biases still affect students' experiences. Educators have the power to either perpetuate or break down these barriers through their attitudes and practices.
Educational Institutions and Gender Socialization
Curriculum and classroom gender socialization
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Socialization in the Schooling Process – Sociology of Education in Canada View original
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Socialization in the Schooling Process – Sociology of Education in Canada View original
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Viet Nam: Using Textbooks and Curricula for Gender Equality | World Education Blog View original
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Top images from around the web for Curriculum and classroom gender socialization
Socialization in the Schooling Process – Sociology of Education in Canada View original
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Viet Nam: Using Textbooks and Curricula for Gender Equality | World Education Blog View original
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Socialization in the Schooling Process – Sociology of Education in Canada View original
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Socialization in the Schooling Process – Sociology of Education in Canada View original
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Viet Nam: Using Textbooks and Curricula for Gender Equality | World Education Blog View original
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School curriculum shapes gender norms and expectations
Textbooks and learning materials may reinforce traditional gender roles depicts men as leaders and women as caregivers
conveys implicit lessons about gender norms through teacher attitudes and
Teaching methods impact
Teacher-student interactions may differ based on gender with boys receiving more attention and praise for assertiveness
Gendered expectations for classroom behavior and participation such as girls being expected to be quiet and compliant
Differential feedback and praise given to male and female students reinforces gender stereotypes (math ability for boys)
Classroom dynamics influenced by gender
Peer interactions and shaped by gender norms and expectations
of classroom participation emerge with boys dominating discussions and leadership roles
Reinforcement of gender norms through peer pressure and social sanctions for non-conformity (teasing for atypical interests)
Gender disparities in education
historically favored males
Historical gender gaps in educational access and completion rates with women being excluded or limited
Progress towards in primary and secondary education has been made in recent decades
Persistent gender disparities in higher education, particularly in STEM fields (engineering, computer science)
Subject choice follows gendered patterns
Gendered patterns in course selection and academic interests emerge with girls favoring and boys favoring STEM
Societal expectations and stereotypes influencing subject choice steering girls away from math-intensive fields
Underrepresentation of women in male-dominated fields limits exposure to diverse role models (physics, economics)
Career aspirations shaped by gender
Gender differences in career goals and appear early on
Impact of gender stereotypes and role models on career aspirations with girls having lower professional ambitions
Barriers to entry and advancement in male-dominated professions discourage women (old boys' networks, discrimination)
Educators' role in gender stereotypes
Educator attitudes and biases impact students
and differential treatment based on gender with educators having higher expectations for boys in math
and gendered expectations for student performance lead to disparate outcomes
Curriculum and teaching practices convey gender stereotypes
Reinforcement of gender stereotypes through classroom materials and examples (word problems, historical figures)
Opportunities for educators to challenge stereotypes and promote gender equality through inclusive practices
Professional development and training needed
Importance of for educators to recognize and address biases
Strategies for creating inclusive and equitable classroom environments that affirm all gender identities
Single-sex education vs gender identity
in single-sex settings
Potential benefits of for exploring gender identity without opposite-sex peer pressure
Concerns about reinforcing gender stereotypes and limiting exposure to diverse perspectives in gender-segregated schools
Academic performance in single-sex classrooms
Mixed research findings on the academic benefits of single-sex education with some studies showing slight gains for girls
Potential advantages for girls in male-dominated subjects by reducing (math, science)
Debate over whether single-sex education perpetuates or challenges gender inequalities in the long run
Social and emotional outcomes of gender segregation
Impact of single-sex education on self-esteem, confidence, and social skills especially for girls
Potential limitations on developing cross-gender friendships and understanding in gender-homogeneous environments