Gender Roles And Attitudes Of A Teacher s Practice

The present essay attempts to demonstrate the stereotypes around gender and and it’s relation to a teacher’s practice. In order for this objective to be met, the theory of gender will be introduced, followed by the stereotypes regarding the gender ‘’roles’’. Moreover the role of culture in the creation of gender roles and how popular culture-media carry stereotypes on children will be presented. This aims to show how a teacher can combat or prevent those stereotypes through her thoughtful, careful approach in the class. Based on the theoretical background biological sex is an organic matter in which a person belongs, for example if it is male or female. This separation is almost everywhere in nature [with some exceptions: hermaphrodite†¦show more content†¦Thus there is a complex relationship between sex and gender. Some people do not fully meet the biological characteristics of their sex, but they have lived their entire life as the ‘’expected’’ gender. Consequently gender is not only determined by the XX and XY genes. There is a complex relationship between biological characteristics and how society interprets them. Gender is determined by anatomy, biology, social and cultural forces, it is a legal and social identity. Gender roles are defined by behaviours ... gender stereotypes are beliefs and attitudes about masculinity and femininity ... but they tend to be related. When people associate a pattern of behaviour with either women or men, they may overlook the individual variations and exceptions and come to believe that the behaviour is inevitably associated with one, and not the other gender. Therefore, gender roles can become stereotypes. (Brannon, 1996: 168) Brannon describes the construction of stereotypes of masculinity and femininity of the standards real man and real woman . A real man should not do girlie stuff he should avoid them. He has to be a winner, to gain status, success and respect from its surroundings. He has to be a tough guy, strong, confident and support