1. Education & Communication in Schools

2.  Does gender effect educational opportunities?  Are female and male college athletes given equal support?  What is the culture of romance?

3.  From history- America’s founding through much of the 20 th century, girls and women in the U.S. have had less educational opportunities than men have had but in our contemporary society, in the U.S. today women and men have relatively equal access to educational opportunities.  Today’s schools are influenced by gender dynamics- although different than previous eras- but have a great impact today.

4.  Academics:  Both male & females encounter gendered expectations and pressures in school.  Child psychiatrists Kindlon & Thompson state that the average boy is developmentally disadvantaged in the early school environment. Kindergarten, preschool & elementary school are primarily female environments.

5.  Males are 33% more likely than females to drop out of high school. Female’s greater success during the early years of school reflects girls’ tendency to develop good study skills & discipline.  Females are 22& more likely than males to plan to attend college

6.  Race, sex, and economics may be contributing factors but personal choices also affect academic performance and success. Choices of hoe to spend time- studying, recreation contribute to different levels of academic accomplishment

7.  From our text:  Rattiya:  “I was born in Thailand and came to here last year for college. In Thailand schools, girls were always encouraged to be passive, quiet, and ;ladylike at all times. Elective classes for girls were cooking, painting, dancing. We were not offered classes such as soccer, self-defending or machine repair.”  How does culture affect gender & education? What are the experiences from you elementary, middle & high schools?

8.  Schooling also reproduces gender stereotypes by not encouraging boys & men to develop traditionally feminine skills, such as caring for others and not encouraging males to enter traditionally feminine fields  Are these preferences and attitudes a reflection of society?

9.  The long standing belief that females innately have less aptitude and ability in math & science has helped erect barriers to women’s participation in science and math education.  Research suggests that sex-related difference in brains and hormones may give males a slight edge on math & science skills.

10.  If you were to make three changes in elementary schools, with the goal of making them work better for boys & girls, what changes would you make?

11.  Although curriculum content is less biased than in the past, gender stereotypes tend to assist. Consider what you learned about history in school- are women leaders referenced?

12.  Athletics  Once children begin to interact with other children, peers exercise strong influence on gender attitudes and identities. Acceptance by peers is higher when children conform to gender stereotypes.  Are female and male college athletes given equal support?

13.  Gender Socialization and Peer Cultures  The cultures of most campuses today put gendered pressures on both men and women. The college environment is a training ground for adult gender, and peer groups are primary agents of socialization on campuses.

14.  Pressures to Conform to Masculinity  Males are more insistent that boys do “boy” things and that “girls” do girl things.”

15.  Pressures to conform to Femininity  Female groups reinforce feminine identity in most girls. Girls often make fun of girls or bully girls who don’t wear popular brand name clothes;  Girls Culture: “Nice girls”, “ Girlie Girls, “ Spice Girls, “Tomboys.”

16.  What is the culture of romance?  Culture of Romance- The perception of being physically attractive outweighs the perception of being academically talented  What factors in society reinforce this perception?  The media? Traditional values? The workforce?