Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes: Boys And Girls Are Treated In The Classroom Differently

Gender inequality is deeply embedded in society as signs of it starts early on childhood, particularly how parents raise their kids and how teachers approach their young students' behavior. A recent study shows that naughty girls are given more leeway to misbehave than naughty boys.

The Telegraph reports Brown University's new research that looked at gender stereotypes and how it affected teachers' approach to boys and girls. They found out boys who exhibit behavioral problems are more likely to perform badly on school than girls who are equally naughty. Moreover, the problematic boys are more likely to stop school in the future than girls with similar behavioral problems.

These problems include short attention span, rocky emotions, lack of gratitude, and ability to positively bond with teachers and friends. Boys that display these behavioral attitudes do not only get bad grades but are also given harsher punishments by their teachers than those given to girls, as per The Telegraph.

The study does recognize, as reported by The Telegraph, that boys may have entered school with worse behaviors than girls. This is probably why teachers react the way they do, unfortunately, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

EdChange agrees that there is gender bias in the classroom. Boys are neglected in the education system. However, it cites an American Association of University Women 1992 report that in fact, girls receive more negativity and less attention than boys. Naughty behaviors are more tolerated in boys because of the common belief that "boys will be boys."

Upon going to a higher level of education every year, more and more changes separate the goals and behavior of boys and girls. Let Toys Be Toys suggests ways on how to challenge gender stereotypes in the classroom as early as preschool.

Let Toys Be Toys encourages teachers to reassure children that it's okay to be different and to question gender stereotypes. The teachers must give examples of role models who counter stereotypes and take note of the reading materials their students are provided with. 

Ideally, these should be books that project gender equality. Here are reading resources that Let Toys Be Toys suggests for teachers to use in order to make boys and girls talk about gender stereotypes and learn ways on how to stop them. 

Spaces and toys in the classroom must also be equally appealing and available to boys and girls. The teachers must also try to assign tasks not normally asked from a person's assigned gender such as asking girls to move the chairs that is normally done by boys. Dividing the children not according to their gender, say their birthday or age, would help the kids think of their identity on different terms other than their gender.  

Let Toys Be Toys also encourages using inclusive language in the classroom such as students instead of "girls" and boys." Rewarding and punishing should also not be based on gender and not be biased towards girls or boys. It is proven that the way the children are disciplined affects their overall enthusiasm for school and outlook in life.

Do you think that boys and girls are being unfairly treated in the classroom? If yes, could you cite some examples of gender bias and explain how they reinforce gender stereotypes? Share them on the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.