Understanding Gender

and Sexual Orientation

By: Kristin Buholtz
Understanding Gender
Do Genders Learn Differently?
In a study done by researchers from the University of
Washington it was found that most boys and girls already
believe the stereotype, by 2
nd
grade, that boys learn math
better than girls.

Another study found that the achievement gap between boys
and girls in math is not as spread apart in countries that have
better gender equity than in countries that do not treat
genders equally

In another study it was found that believing stereotypes
actually hinders performance and achievement. By one
group being told a stereotype and another not being told the
stereotype the researchers were able to test this.

Gender Bias in the Classroom
A study done in 1990 showed that gender bias is implicitly
suggested even in the texts students read for school by not
mentioning contributions or achievements made by women.

Another study done in 2000 involved researchers videotaping
teachers while giving their lessons. The teachers were then
shown their lessons to analyze how they actually did treat
boy and girls differently showing them different kinds of
attention.

The Reay study done in 2001 found that misbehavior by
each gender is handled and perceived in different ways
depending on the gender.
How Teachers Can Avoid Gender Bias Issues
Ask complicated questions to both boys and girls
Use a variety of assessment practices in the classroom
that target both boys and girls
Teachers can video themselves during teaching their
lessons to analyze whether or not they treat the
genders differently and come up with approaches that
display equality
Develop a system for calling on students, such as
drawing names, so that it levels the field
Have students participate in non-traditional gender
situations
Refrain from jumping to conclusions as to why a child is
acting in a certain manner; dont assume its because
the child is a boy/girl
Sexual Orientation
Five Facts Teachers Should Know
If gender free terminology is used it could help
make homosexual students feel more comfortable
A peer or family member has abused the majority
of GLBT students in their life at some point
By educating students about homosexuality will
help them understand and accept things they did
not previously know
By using educational material that does not
assume that all students are heterosexual will help
homosexual students feel more at ease
The separation of sex and gender is the most
difficult aspect of homosexuality

Five Things a Teacher Can Do
Encourage students to get involved with a
club, group, or association
Do not treat students as if they have a mental
health problem or disease
Listen to your students; especially when they
are trying to talk about issues with their peers
Dont try to force a student to change their
sexual orientation
Remember to treat all students with dignity and
respect
How Can a Teacher Help
Teachers need to make themselves
knowledgeable on the facts of bullying and be
observant of signs of bullying

Teachers can involve students to aid them in
prevention of bullying by assuring them that telling
is not tattling

Teachers need to set and create a positive learning
environment by having no tolerance for bullying;
perhaps have students sign an anti-bullying
document

References
Bennet, A. (n.d.). Avoiding Gender Bias in the Classroom. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from
faculty.tnstate.edu/bchristian1/bennettpres.ppt

Bullying. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2012, from American Psychological Association:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/bullying.aspx

Chapman, A. (n.d.). Gender Bias in Education. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from EdChange:
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/genderbias.html

Girls and Boys Brains: How different are they? (n.d.). Retrieved July 3, 2012, from Great Schools:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1121-gender-differences-learning.gs

Math-Gender Stereotypes in Elementary School Children. (2011, June). Retrieved July 3, 2012, from
Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01529.x/abstract

PsycNet. (n.d.). Retrieved July 3, 2012, from American Psychological Association:
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&id=611987C2-DADD-21E7-E185-
A4A1338A5A58&resultID=2&page=1&dbTab=pa

Stereotype Threat and Women's Math Performance. (2002, April). Retrieved July 3, 2012, from Science
Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103198913737