Beth Rieke
11/19/96
Essay#7

In an ever-changing society there are new philosophies and ideas that teachers need to be aware of and need to help their students become of aware of as well. Girls have become better students as a whole than they have been in the past, just as women have become more prominent and successful in the workplace. It is obvious that there is a direct correlation between the two. The question is what is the teachers role in the learning of gender identity among children and is it necessary that we examine the idea further? The people I will be directing my thoughts to are the teachers of children in pre-school through forth grade, because after the age of nine the gender identity stereotypes have already been learned.

Many people disagree to the fact that teachers should be allowed to reflect their values on the children. Someone may argue that it is the parents job to be the main influence in their lives. Unfortunately, children these days do not all get the attention and positive influences they need at home. Often it is up to the teachers to give the child the direction they need and to help them develop a positive self concept. In Joe Frost's article entitled "Children in a Changing Society," he talks about how sometimes the influence of a teacher can have lasting affect on a child because they have little time with the parents due to single working parents or neglecting parents. If a teacher can become aware of the idea of gender identity among children and their self development, they can eliminate possible problems that may otherwise arise.

In Corrine Hutt's article "Why do Girls Underachieve?" she talk about the difference in performance among girls in all girls schools as compared to those in coed school. The general idea of the article is that when girls can see what they are capable of (by learning about female role models and successful women) they are able to achieve at a higher level and do not feel inferior to males. Hutt found that math performance in all girls schools was considerably higher than in coed schools. The point is, teachers need to be very careful when dealing with such subject as math to give equal attention to males and females and also teachers need to be careful if they are teaching thier students about more male role models (which is typical of history books) than female.

Is there a method of teaching that can ensure equal treatment of girls and boys and to continue the idea of equality among the two. Carol Gilligans theories of care and justice exemplify the ways that boys and girls learn differently and how to nurture both of their needs at the same time. The way in which teaching has always been done is under the justice theory. She talks about how to combine the justice and the care theory to make learning become easier for both boys and girls.

The point of my argument is that it is the teachers responsibility to become knowledgeable and aware of the idea of gender identity. They need to incorporate the fragility of the idea into every class session and every activity. If a female student is making fun of a male for playing with dolls or a male student is making fun of a female for having a "boys" haircut" these issues need to be dealt with by the teacher, and the teacher better know what to do. Scrutiny among texts and other learning materials is another area where the teacher should consider the issue of role models and stereotypes.

Though this issue is being dealt with among most teachers and has come along way since 1960, there is still progress that can be made. A separate class on the issue of gender identity may need to be mandatory for future teachers. The issue of gender stereotypes can not be put aside because in our society today issues of feminism and empowerment among women are still big issues. It is important to me and should be to all women who want the gap between men and women's opportunities to close up. The old clichˇ is true "Our children are our future," and if they do not have a positive self concept we all fail.

Sources

1. Trends in Education. Hutt, Corine. "Why do Girls Underachieve." Vol.4 1979. Pp. 24-28.

2. Journal of Thought. Bacon, Barbara. "A Feminine Reconceptionalization of Critical Thinking Theory." Vol. 27, 1992. Pp. 4-15

3. Sociology of Education. Jones, Debbie. " Creating Gender Equality; Cross National Gender Stratification." Vol. 66, 1993. Pp. 91-101.

4. Childhood Education. Frost, Joe. "Children in a Changing Society." 1986, pp. 242-250.