Gender equality is a topic that has been widely discussed lately. There is a lot of talk, opinions are given, and conclusions are often drawn based on personal experiences, sometimes without considering different perspectives or contexts.
For me, this issue has evolved positively. There is increasing awareness, and other ideologies are being heard that are gradually influencing society. Today, I want to talk about how gender equality is perceived in the classroom and why I believe it is a topic that must be addressed in classes, especially now, more than ever.
With over 20 years of experience interacting with children, I have noticed a huge change in their way of thinking. Children now come to class with a different mindset regarding equality and fairness, something that has undoubtedly been influenced by their families and society in general.
By nature, children don’t like injustice. Cases where either gender is favored or despised in the classroom due to stereotypes or biased opinions are becoming less common.
We know that children often repeat what they hear from their parents and family members, and it is not surprising that some stereotypical comments about the differences between boys and girls still exist. However, I consider this normal, even though I don’t share these views. I prefer to respect it and, instead of being surprised or upset, I try to show the children the importance of equality, fairness, and respect between them, regardless of whether they are boys or girls.
Although we shouldn’t deceive ourselves, it is true that there are biological differences between boys and girls. It is also common to see that their tastes and needs may vary. However, this gap is increasingly narrowing.
In my experience, I’ve noticed that sometimes boys defend equality more than girls. On the other hand, girls seem more empowered and confident, but sometimes they tend to discredit the male gender. We know that social media has a significant influence on young minds, especially the younger ones.
I remember Zoe, a 7-year-old girl, who preferred to play with the boys in her class rather than with the girls. She loved soccer and playing with toy cars, and I loved seeing how happy she was. However, during a Women’s Day celebration, Zoe stood up and said: “Teacher, I want to tell everyone that women are more important than men, and a world without men would be better because men are rude and bad. Also, men bring violence into the world.”
Calmly, I decided to remain silent and listen to the other children. Immediately, Mateo raised his hand and said, “Teacher, that’s not true. Boys and girls are equal. No one is good or bad.”
Zoe went silent, and taking advantage of the moment, I asked her, “Zoe, do you think boys and girls have something in common?” She replied, “No, nothing.” I then said, “What if I tell you that we are all human beings and have the same rights and duties? No one can define themselves solely by their gender.”
I explained to everyone that we are not what our culture or society tells us we are just because we are boys or girls. Gender is only one characteristic, but the important thing is that we are growing human beings with the same opportunities. What really sets us apart is our effort, and our desire to learn, and improve.
After listening to the children and encouraging participation, I was surprised by the comments from the children, especially the girls, not only because there were fewer boys in the class but also because of the content:
The girls said:
- Boys are noisy and rude.
- Boys are dirty.
- Boys are messy.
- Boys are aggressive.
- Boys are unfair and violent.
- Boys shouldn’t exist.
- Boys always want to mistreat girls.
- Boys should become girls so they don’t hurt others.
The boys who weren’t very motivated to debate responded:
- Girls are more boring.
- Girls cry too much and aren’t good at sports.
- Girls complain a lot.
- Girls are also rough.
These ideas, typical for their age, if not properly addressed, can feed patterns from the past, where women suffered many injustices. But why build a world where the new victims are men or, once again, women? This doesn’t take us anywhere good. Removing this seed is the first step toward growth, which is in the hands of families and us, the educators. I understand the world wouldn’t be so unjust if many teachers and families worked together to change these beliefs.
That’s why I want to leave you with some reasons why we should work on gender equality and equity with children, as well as some strategies to promote them:
Reasons to work on gender equality with children:
- Fosters respect and empathy: By learning about equality, children develop sensitivity to differences and respect the rights of everyone.
- Prevents gender discrimination and violence: Promoting fairness from childhood helps eradicate stereotypes and discriminatory behaviors in the future.
- Provides equal opportunities to everyone: If children grow up with the idea that they can aspire to any goal regardless of their gender, barriers that limit their development are removed.
- Builds a more just and inclusive society: Gender equality not only benefits women and girls but society as a whole, as it fosters equitable and supportive environments.
- Breaks imposed gender roles: Teaching that children can play, dress, and develop skills without being tied to rigid norms allows them to grow with greater freedom and authenticity.
- Improves children’s self-esteem and well-being: When boys and girls feel valued for who they are and not for gender expectations, they develop greater self-confidence.
Strategies to promote gender equality and equity in primary school:
- Cooperative games and dynamics: Design activities where all children participate without gender division, promoting collaboration and equal opportunities.
- Fair distribution of responsibilities: Avoid reinforcing stereotypes in the classroom (for example, that only girls organize or decorate) and distribute tasks fairly.
- Modeling positive roles: Showing role models of different genders in professions, science, and sports broadens children’s vision of what they can achieve.
- Spaces for dialogue and reflection: Create moments in class to debate equality, share experiences, and question gender norms, helping build critical thinking in children.
Finally, although some of my students proposed the idea of speaking with inclusive language, I want to clarify that I am NOT in favor of inclusive language, but I also have my reasons:
- Language change does not guarantee real changes in society.
- It can generate confusion and resistance in communication.
- Language becomes inclusive when our words are filled with equality and fairness, and when what we say is consistent with our actions.
Invitation:
If you are an educator and are looking for tools to promote gender equality in your classroom, I invite you to explore my resources. You can find activities and materials that help promote fairness, reflection, and respect among students. Let’s take a step together toward a more inclusive and equitable education!
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