...are boys stereotyped as the ‘Gender of Failure’? Building on a trend that began more than a decade ago, girls are outperforming boys at every level in education. They get more and better GCSEs and A-levels, win more places at top universities and gain better degrees. Boys' educational achievement began to lag behind girls from the late Eighties - around the time GCSEs replaced O-levels. There were warnings that the new qualification, with its emphasis on course work rather than final exams, would favour girls - and so it has proved. Teenage girls tend to be more conscientious and dedicated to long-term projects, while boys are better at cramming and thrive in the adrenaline-fuelled arena of the exam. Although poor attainment is concentrated in the lower income groups, the gender gap persists to the detriment of boys across all social classes and ethnic groups The gradual increasing of lack of strong positive male role models at home & school is said to be a cause of boys’ underachievement. The near total absence of male teachers in primary schools is issued as being one of the key elements of male underachievement. Department of Education (2007) reported in 2007 that men now make up an appalling total of only 16% of primary school teachers. In result, based on a 2007 poll conducted by Youngov, 39% of 8-11 year old boys have no lessons at all with a male teacher. Male primary teachers can have a powerful impact on boys, the presence of a teacher their own gender can affect...
Words: 561 - Pages: 3
...“I Am What I AM” is a musical which was on shown in January in Sheung Wan Civic Centre. The story of the musical is actually a real-life story adapted from a Singapore transgender person, Abigail, about making a tough decision of being loyal to her true gender. Abigail’s frustration of whether to take the Sex Reassignment Surgery (“SRS” for short) or not was exquisitely presented in the musical, so as to communicate with the audience and encourage them to have an in-depth review about the related issue. Why Abigail hopes to be a female rather than a male? To uncover the underlying reasons, let’s start with knowing more about her life in early stage. Being born as a boy, Abigail felt that he was a girl deeply inside his mind. Liked other normal little girls, he loved playing Barbie dolls and doll’s houses. Presenting girls’ characteristics in his childhood gave him a derogatory nickname, “Girlish Boy”, which was frequently called by his classmates in primary school. Trying to conceal his female mind, Abigail always made himself looks like stronger, self-reliant through behaviors, thoughts but seems that was not successful. His classmates continued to laugh at him with offensive languages. When he grew up, he felt much more natural and comfortable to play with girls while sensed shy to play with boys. In Singapore, boys who aged 18 had to serve their duty in military. During that period, Abigail took baths in late evening after all the other soldiers took their baths. It is...
Words: 1100 - Pages: 5
...a joke rather than being mean. They may think it is funny, but it can seriously hurt someone's feelings even if they laugh at it. The worst part about children discriminating is that they are most likely learning it from their parents. Studies have been done to prove that discrimination is not something people are born with, but it is inherited. As children grow up making stereotypes and discriminating they may become comfortable expressing such feelings which may lead to racism. High school is a huge mixing pot of races and ethnicities so discrimination and stereotypes are very prevalent here. Most of the time they are just jokes, however even if the person that the stereotype is directed to laughs they may be severely hurt. Gender is also a big factor in discrimination and stereotypes. There will always be the battle of man versus woman. However, this issue is starting to diminish as woman are achieving higher ranked positions in the workforce. Women still have some discrimination in the workforce, as they still aren't making the same wages as men for the most part. They have been getting more respect but the discrimination is not over yet....
Words: 842 - Pages: 4
...Gender Stereotyping in Children Alisha Gordon English 111 Tracey Johnson May 3, 2012 Gender Stereotyping in Children Outline Delaying exposure to gender stereotyping in young children helps avoid disapproving gender views that limit children’s behavior and learning abilities, which plays a vital role in their social and cognitive development. I. Beliefs and Behaviors II. Influences a. Biological b. Environment 1. Family 2. Teachers 3. Peers III. Identity a. Emergence of gender identity IV. Gender Schema V. Conclusion After researching and learning about this topic, children who hold a flexible gender view of what boys and girls can do tend to see the world in a less gender biased fashion and increases their social and cognitive development, which helps prepare them for entering society. Gender Stereotyping in Children Parents play the role of nurturing their children and preparing them for society, and somewhere in between they unintentionally introduce their children to gender stereotyping (beliefs and behaviors acceptable for girls and boys). As children grow they start to learn gender typing on their own through biological and environmental influences. Then through observation children develop their own identity towards male or female, and they start to organize their experiences through gender schemas. This is how children interpret what’s happening in their world. Piaget’s cognitive...
Words: 2086 - Pages: 9
...Gender Identity Life is not always clear-cut, black and white. In life, there are complications and unforeseen factors that people deal with every day. In this paper, I plan to talk about how gender identity comes about. It is important to realize that there are always exceptions to the rules of life, and not to treat people poorly because of their differences. Biological factors start their impression on us as children. The differences in a man or woman’s sexual organs is a key factor. Girls and boys normally have very easily identifiable organs, these organs change, as they grow older. During puberty, a lot of things change and these organs become more defined and functional. The body releases chemical messenger compounds that tell the body to change its current status. Males have more adrenal hormones than girls do do. However, information provided from the site http://www.mentalhelp.net/ says, “some boys and girls are born with a condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), which causes them to have significantly higher levels of androgens than their non-affected peers. Scientists have studied children with CAH in order to understand how their extra androgen levels affect behavior. Boys with excess androgens play and behave much like normal male peers. However, girls with high androgen levels tend to display more gender-stereotypic male traits’’ behavioral traits are effected in a way but do not have to bad.In some situations girls with CAH can have genitalia...
Words: 769 - Pages: 4
...schools usually argue that because girls' and boys' brains work differently, they require different teaching styles. But a new study found that all-girls and all-boys schools may actually end up supporting gender stereotypes and may cause students to socialize only with their kids of their own gender. Led by Penn State professor Lynn S. Liben, the study of preschool students found that after two weeks of teachers using gendered language and gender-divided activities -- such as asking kids to line up by gender or use separate blackboards -- the girls started playing less with the boys and the boys started playing less with the girls. She even found that the kids' choice of toys became more gender-stereotyped. She said, “There is strong evidence for negative consequences of segregating by sex." This study suggests that attending same-sex high schools might cause you to spend more time with friends who are the same gender as you, and may cause you to act more stereotypically girly or boyish. Although she loves her all-girls school, High School blogger Arielle Schacter says that feeling uncomfortable around boys was one negative aspect of her "gender-segregated world." Do you think that students who go to same-sex schools spend too much time with friends of their own gender? What do you think are the benefits (or downfalls) of going to a co-ed school? Share your thoughts and reactions...
Words: 260 - Pages: 2
...Laurent Psy 380 23 May 2015 PSY 380 – Psychology of Gender – Out of Class Assignment 2 Female 1: | * Masculine Traits: Strong, Confident, Loves sports | * Feminine Traits: Affectionate, Nurturing and Patient | Male 1: | * Masculine Traits: Dominant, House hold provider, | * Feminine Traits: Sensitive, Soft-Spoken, | Female 2: | * Masculine Traits: Athletic, Ambitious, Muscular | * Feminine Traits: Dependable, Shy, | Male 2: | * Masculine Traits: Dominant, Strong personality, | * Feminine Traits: Accepting, Loves children, Small Hands | Female 3: | * Masculine Traits: Independent, Self-Driven, Strong | * Feminine Traits: Loyal, Understanding, | Male 3: | * Masculine Traits: Driven, Hard Worker, | * Feminine Traits: Pleases others, Family orientated, Lover | To start off, for one’s own gender identity (i.e. femininity, masculinity) is considered to be described by how a person sees themselves as either masculine or feminine with the idea of how society views males and females to be. Gender roles, is different from gender identity, which are shared expectations of behavior given of one's gender. The concept of gender identity is also different from gender stereotypes, which are, shared views of personality traits often tied to one's gender. Gender identity is also different from gender attitudes that are the views of others or situations commonly associated with one's gender. In this case self-description was...
Words: 404 - Pages: 2
... III. Conclusion: Stereotypes, roles, and Society A. Humor and the Audience B. Effects of Stereotypes C. Stereotypes Thrive Adrianne Council Dr. Harkins-Pierre Introduction to Humanities 115 October 24, 2011 Journal # Contemporary Stereotypes Contemporary Stereotypes: Three Play Summaries There is a trivial tradition in comedy which dates back to both Shakespearean plays and literature. This tradition involves the usage of a coined blend of comedy and stereotyped characters. These characters are often for comical entertainment and laughter. Shakespeare always uses fools or stereotypical characters that are thought to have a diminished sense of intellect by the other characters. More interesting, however, these stereotyped characters are often actually wiser than perceived. The presence of stereotypes continues to prevail in modern-day plays....
Words: 1600 - Pages: 7
... Final Project Vasthy Mendoza Gender and Society: Final Project April 29, 2010 Karen Lloyd Kaplan University Men are the breadwinners and women are the homemakers Ever since the 1960’s and 70’s women have been discriminated and it has effected every day life. Is it right to say that male is the superior gender, and should we not question what they do? Should us women only do what we are stereotyped to do and let the men get by with it so easy? Women eventually got tired of being stereotyped and starting fighting back. In the 1960’s women fought for their rights and although it was a struggle they continued forward and succeeded in what they wanted to see change. In the U.S. many women’s groups were formed to reject or change laws that forced discrimination in things such as contract and property rights to employment and pay. One of those groups include the National Organization for Women or also known as NOW. In 1966 this organization was founded by Betty Friedan to support equal rights for women, especially in the workforce. The organization grew tremendously with 500,000 members both women and men. Susan B. Anthony, a feminist, made this motivational quote: “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.” One of the biggest workplace challenges that women will come across revolve around gender. Why is it that females still to this day...
Words: 2308 - Pages: 10
...Ziding Wang The development of gender equality 1. Introduction Over the past decades, the relationships between women and men and their lives have dramatically changed. In many parts of the world, women still have fewer rights including poor level of education, less income that men and less power of decision making. Unfortunately, this is true, despite the fact that women’s role in children upbringing, food producing and family income is inestimable. Gender equality is not only about being fair to both women and men, but is also means that they should have the same status in society. It also means that they have equal rights and opportunities on the way to their success and can equally contribute to all spheres of live: political and economic. With the promoting of scientific advancement, Japan seems to fall behind with gender equality. Only about 14 percent of female professionals has been trained in mathematics, science and engineering. According to data obtained, most of female scientists merely underestimate themselves when competing with their male colleagues (sciencemag.org). Unequal pay and unequal respect towards working women dispel the myth about gender equality (shriverreport.org). In general, the level of women’s wage is 2/3 of that of the men. Gender inequality in payment is a direct violation of the principle of equal pay for equal work. Almost in all sectors of the economy women take low-paying positions. During all these year we another...
Words: 1597 - Pages: 7
...One of the main reasons for gender differences in subject choices is due to the primary socialisation that the children have. Norman (1988) notes that from an early age, boys and girls are dressed differently, given different toys, and are encouraged to take part in different activities; parents tend to reward boys for being active and girls for being passive. As a result of this socialisation, boys and girls develop different reading tastes – boys read hobby books and girls are more likely to read books about people which explains why boys prefer science and girls prefer subjects such as English. Norman (1988), Murphy and Elwood (1998) This is further backed up by Browne and Ross’ (1991) argument that children’s beliefs about gender domains (the tasks/activities that children see as male or female ‘territory’) are shaped by their early experiences and the expectations of adults. Gendered subject images also have an impact as to which subjects boys and girls choose when they have the option. Science is seen as a ‘boys’ subject for many reasons, such as the fact that the teachers are more likely to be male, the examples in textbooks draw on boys’ experiences more than girls’, and because boys monopolise the apparatus and dominate the lab, acting as if it is theirs. DfES (2007) found that pupils in single sex schools have less stereotyped subject images, and Leonard (2006) found that this may make both boys and girls choose the less ‘traditional’ subjects...
Words: 421 - Pages: 2
...4/8/13 PROFESSOR: CURTIS MALOLEY Mass media plays an important role in the functioning of our society. On top of that gender identities portrayed in television and film send mix messages to their viewers. Although it may seem to be normal in popular culture today, it indirectly produces negative outcomes. We are manipulated by popular culture in accepting their representation of gender roles. In my essay I plan to prove the wrongful depiction of gender identities in the film “Lying to be perfect.” The movie lying to be perfect is based on the novel the Cinderella pact by Sarah Strohmeyers. Although the director is a male, he illustrates the movie in a different and altered version of Sarah’s novel. The characters analyzed are Nola, Alex, Nancy and Deb. The genre of this movie revolves around comedy, drama and romance. The main character Nola is a magazine editor who is neglected due to her being overweight. Nola is shy and concededly writes a book but authors it as Belinda Apple, although as it being her alter-ego. Nola creates a Cinderella pact with her friends for their journey to health. The hidden identity of Belinda Apple comes into question and Nola is pressure into accepting what “beauty” in the modern world comes to believe. I’ve chosen this movie because of its quality to show the ability of how society affects gender roles particularly women, in the way they present themselves to how they should act. It also portrays hegemonic feminism and...
Words: 490 - Pages: 2
...government through legislation and policy measures. The vertically typical “Gender Pyramid “is prevalent in this too- lower level occupation with few career development opportunities dominated by women and key managerial positions dominated by men. Earlier studies found the deeply entrenched beliefs and stereotyped attitudes towards women in the workplace to be the main barrier in gender equality. Though India seems poised for superpower status because of its booming economy. However, beneath the spectacular “India Shining” story lurks an area of darkness – the unequal status of its women, who constitute more than half its demographic. This study on Gender Equality in Indian Hotel Industry- A study of Perception of male and female employees aims to examine whether female employees of hotel industry perceive gender equality issues differently than male employees. It collects information from 13 hotels and 110 respondents in NCR on 5-point likert scale on 27 items. For analysis Independent samples T test is used, and results of study demonstrate that there is difference in the perception of male and female only for one issue “women do not get same fringe benefits as men”, For rest of the issues of gender equality T value is not significant meaning that both men and women have similar opinion regarding gender equality issues. This study found biases in management practices in deference to official policy on gender equality. The...
Words: 321 - Pages: 2
...Reflection Paper The way these stereotypes affected the view of gender roles in our society is that the media portray men and women as something that they aren’t. A lot of times as a society we play into these stereotypes by believing that they are a part of who we are when truly we aren’t that way at all. In those videos men are portrayed as active, adventurous, in charge and muscular as you can see the emphasis is placed on a character’s abilities and women are portrayed as passive, less competent and more domestic and the emphasis is placed upon a character’s appearance. Advertisers have created a sort of taboo where men are to be one way and women are to be another way or vice versa. We (meaning the public) are taught to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them. Stereotyping is something that people do on a regular basic by grouping people in categories such as men being the masculine type that emphasizes strength, dominance, competition, and logical thinking. While as women are put in the Feminine category that emphasizes expressive, nurturing behavior, empathy and emotional expressiveness; a focus on relationships and on maintaining them; an interest in bearing and raising children; and attentiveness to appearance. When in relativity not all men or women are this way for reason of how and where they were raised. Just because someone stereotyped you and categorized as being a certain way does not mean that you in no to believe you are this way. By stereotyping...
Words: 482 - Pages: 2
...Considering the Complexity of Gender, Literacy, and Technology." Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 50.4 (2006): 300-307. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Oct. 2015. Williams starts with a relative advocate but mention a wife in the kitchen and a husband on an out dated computer at the kitchen table. The wife is admiring her loving husband. While the husband is staring intently at the computer. William states that computers are more often than not portrayed in the media as a “guy thing”. But he says women are certainly portrayed as users of technology in the larger culture. What I get from this William is trying to portray that men are being stereotyped as computer geeks when in this society women are the voices for technology. “What changes are needed in the computer culture to improve its image, repair its deficits, and make it more appealing to girls and women?” (iv). "Gender Studies." Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology. Ed. Bryan S. Turner. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Credo Reference. Web. 26 Oct 2015. Turner starts with informing the readers that this topic has many subtopic to go with it which means more information on it. Turner then goes on by telling the readers other subtopic that can go with such as gender in feminism, women’s studies and many more. Turner moves on in to a sociology stand point and defines social constructionism. Turner says “Sociologists are concerned with understanding how people do, rather than have, gender . . .” Turner also mentions...
Words: 366 - Pages: 2
