How do we break the cycle?
All three of our readings talked about gender stereotypes and how the rules for each gender are established at an early age. This has been an ongoing struggle especially for the minorities to try and be seen as equals. In our society gender’s roles have changed. More women are becoming working mom’s and men have taken on more duties within the house and raising a family. Yet children see gender rules as black and white. How do we break that cycle?
The first read notes how gender stereotypes are reinforced in the toys that children play with and the clothes that they wear. I have noticed this in Wal-Mart and Toys r us. You simply need to walk down any aisle and see either pinks and purples or dark colors and know which aisle is for whom. It does upset me to see that girl toys are geared to fake adult things such as high heels, cell phones and make-up. What message are we sending our girls? Are we rushing them into becoming adults? What can they take away from those toys? That article brings up an important fact that the pictures of the children also reinforce the gender stereotype. It’s so easy to put a girl and boy playing with tools or cooking. I am constantly conscious about this in my classroom. In the beginning of the year, I post pictures of children playing in each center. I always make sure that in each center there are pictures of boys and girls exploring in that center. I try to encourage boys to explore dramatic play or girls to explore woodworking table.
I know that teachers are doing their part to create a gender-neutral environment. We set up a classroom and provide a safe environment for children to explore everything. As a teacher, I also make sure to explain to children when they make comments like “I can’t like that it’s for (whatever gender).” Yet we try so hard and it can be taken away from the parents. I know many of my parents that come in and say to their child that they can’t do whatever because it’s for the opposite gender. Mostly it’s dad’s telling sons that they can’t play with whatever because it’s for girls. I think if we are going to break the gender stereotype cycle we have to explain to parents and families what are goals are and hopefully they can work with us and support our ideals.
You are very right that it's the parents who we have to explain our goals to for the children in our classroom in order for the children to understand because parents are their first teachers. How do you talk with your children about gender identity? When you hear a child say I cant play with that because it's for girls, what is your response to that?
ReplyDeleteBut yes, parents are the main people we need to educate and inform of this topic because most of their time is spent at home. They have so many social interactions with people, their families or even just watching TV or going out to places they observe certain people doing certain things. Very important that we teach our children that you can do whatever you want to do, no matter what gender. But just as long as you set your mind to it.
Aloha Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou make great points about gender stereotypes. Walking into toy aisles can be quite disturbing, especially with the negative messages it sends to children. I sometimes find myself having a difficult time choosing toys because of the messages they convey (even for my own children).
I have found it difficult to speak with parents about gender stereotyping, especially dads. They are a little more hardcore and they insist that their sons should only play with "boy toys". What would you recommend? Have you spoken with the parents in your program about this? If so, how did they respond?
I believe that parents are the children's first teachers and they need to be educated as well. I agree that we need to share our goals with them in hopes that they will support us.
Hello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt is quite unfortunate to hear parents tell their child not to do that because only boys/girls do that. How do we go about educating the parents about this issue? However, it is vital that teacher's have many non-gender directed toys and activities. And girls are rarely at the block center in my classroom, and I wonder why this is? How can girls become engaged in the block center?
Anyhow, if the environment is safe and whether the children are wearing clothes are are or are not suppose to be for boys, teacher's need to remain neutral and let teh imagination of the child go. The teachers can play a big role in this gender stereotype because although it may happen at home, if there is a stable environment in school, the child will feel safe and okay with what they are doing.
Ashley
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up several good points in your blog regarding gender stereotyping. Your question about how we as a society might be rushing children (especially girls) to become adults through the types of toys most interested me. I agree that toys geared towards girls are becoming more about being mothers and promoting sexiness. I can't help but wonder if these types of toys has played any part in the increasing numbers of girls having children as young teenages.
I think that children are growing up way too fast recently. Technology and media probably play the biggest roles in this but I wonder how gender specific toys play into this equation?
I also agree with your point on how all our work in the classrooms are often negated by the views and belief of their parents. How can we help build a bridge between thse two worlds that seem so far apart?
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I was in the store this evening and looking at easter baskets for my daughter. One easter basket had the word princess in script with jewels and sparkles all over the pink paint on the basket. My immediate response was disgust -- why has being female become defined by being a princess. To me, this enforces an individual with only personal aspirations with little to no regard for the community and democracy.
This made me wonder if gender is now being constructed to support a lack of community and focus on self. Has society moved to a more selfish view of the individual, only taking care of self and not the community? Does the construct of gender support these ideas? For example, the aggression and competitive expectations of males.
This has me really thinking -- your blog challenged my own viewpoints in a new way!
Jeanne
Creating a safe environment for children to explore is a great way to help them break down stereotypes. Many times children are not allowed to explore such things at home for whatever reason so being able to come to school to do so can be very exciting for children. We really have to be concious of our reactions and comments to things that they do to make sure that we are not sending them the wrong message.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you put pictures in the different centers with both genders in the pictures. That can be a visual reminder that all the centers are for everybody.
I think you are right about informing parents because a lot of times they are just used to things being a certain way and do not know that it can be okay for children to explore and it does not mean they are going to trade genders. Children should be able to feel comfortable as they explore the world and different roles that they can play.