Impact of Gender Stereotypes on School Culture

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Gender stereotypes and gender norms are the culturally ingrained ideas about what is appropriate or acceptable behaviour for females and males. We learn these gender norms through television, internet, and media and from adults in the community (The Line, n.d.) Teachers need to be aware that how they reward or discipline students can affect notions of gender. There is a need to consider things such as, are we awarding boys prizes for being sporty and girls prizes for being quiet? Are the boys receiving blue stickers and the girl’s vivid pink? Is the culture at the school perpetuating these gender stereotypes? (The Line, n.d.) Today’s schooling is a result of historical changes in the way society was organised. Dependant on differing forms of government, deployed at separate historical moments for different administrative and educational reasons …show more content…

21). This notion of the “traditional family” now is hardly relevant. The 2010 Bureau of Statistics survey shows that only one quarter of households exist I this form. However, that is not to say that cultural pressures to be a ‘Stay at home’ mother have changed (Connell, Welch, Vickers, & Bagnell, 2013, p. 21). These stereotypes begin in the school system. In the period, 1945-1970 boys were supported to undertake schooling beyond the compulsory age (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007, p.10). In the 1960’s school, participation was still far lower for females compared to males (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007, p.14). By the mid 1970’s, there was little difference but by the 1980’s females represented, a distinctly higher proportion and this will in turn carry through to higher education numbers (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007, p.14). We talk now to Helen bout her secondary school

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