Gender Bias in the Classroom: Current Controversies and Implications for Teachers

Preschoolers’ Perceptions of Gender Appropriate Toys and their Parents’ Beliefs About Genderized Behaviors: Miscommunication, Mixed Messages, or Hidden Truths?

“…It grew out of the author's observation that, in spite of the fact that the goal of Title IX to assure gender equity has become generally accepted in contemporary American society, gender stereotypes persist (Frawley, 2005). Boys and girls continue to face differentiated adult expectations which limit opportunities for both girls and boys (Sadker & Sadker, 1994).…”

Gender Bias in Lebanese Language Classes

“…Frawley (2005) concurred that teachers are obligated to examine ingrained sexist attitudes and to be ready to employ a variety of teaching strategies. Instructors have the power to stop the damage being done through the subtle messages that biased environments and societies generate and spread.…”

“…Thus, the under-representation of females in math, science, and technology in schools, universities, and in the workplace is attributed to stereotyped feminine qualities, such as a lack of self-confi dence, or to classroom practices, which allow boys to control classroom interactions and dominate in subjects such as technology and computers (Acker and Oatley 1993). Many teachers' stereotypical beliefs lead them to exhibit gender-biased behaviors (Gatta and Trigg 2001), which have harmful social effects and consequences on males and females (Frawley 2005), such as limiting students' accomplishments and ambitions and lowering self-esteem and selfconfi dence. To counteract gender role stereotypes, educators should encourage both female and male students to achieve in all subject areas and to reach their full potential, and ensure that all students' individual educational needs are met.…”

“…Instructors should critically evaluate materials for any gender bias prior to using them (Volk and Beeman 1998;Frawley 2005 that one way to fi ght gender bias is through instructional materials, by selecting literature that depicts nontraditional characters involved in non-stereotypical behaviors.…”

“…The formation of an individual's gender identity is greatly infl uenced by the stereotypical portrayals of males and females in books and other types of media (Frawley 2005). Children form their beliefs, attitudes, and gender-role identities based on their exposure to images that exist in hidden messages conveyed to them through several types of instructional materials (Frawley 2005). …”