Beyond Pink and Blue: Thinking

about Gender Stereotyping

STEREOTYPES
Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about

an individual or a group based on gender, race,

religion, social class or sexual orientation.
Stereotypes can be harmful if they put down the
members of a group or show or encourage prejudice.
They do not respect an individuals uniqueness.

EXAMPLES???

Defining sex and gender?

Sex: biological differences between males and
females.

Gender: the culturally and socially constructed

differences between females and males based

on meanings, beliefs, and practices that a group
associates with femininity or masculinity.

Therefore
Gender determines what is expected, allowed and
valued in a woman or a man, and is noted as a social
construct.

Gender stereotypes are simplistic generalizations

about the gender attributes, differences, and roles of
individuals and/or groups.

What comes to mind when you think of

feminine, or manly characteristics?

Some historical views...

Mythological notion of man as the wise, just, and
learned warrior.
The age of Empire (18th/19th centuries) Man as a
conqueror and an adventurer.
Victorian ideal of true womanhood glorified image of
the prudish, respectful and tame female counterpart.

Gender roles... Agents of socialization:

Parents and family: treatment, clothes, toys, or
chores.
Peers: pressure to behave in a certain way, and to
have certain aspirations.
Influence of religion and cultural differences.
Media representations.

Some examples of gender inequality:

Husbands in Egypt, Bahrain and Syria can file an official complaint at national
airports to forbid their wives from leaving the country for any reason.
In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive a car.
http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/equal-pay-for-equal-work-a-look-at-the-wagegap-between-men-and-women-in-va
As of November 17, 2014, there are 77 women currently serving in the House
of Commons, and 258 women have served overall in the body's history.

Progress... But still a long way to go?

Since women gained the right to vote, on equal terms with
men, in 1944, there has been much progress with regards to
gender equality in Quebec, and across the world.
However, despite issues of gender equality now demanding
a great level of attention, there is much still to be done in the
way of changing attitudes and ensuring that discrimination
on the basis of ones gender does not continue.

QUEST
P. 49: GENDER FACT OR FICTION?
Read the statements
Do you agree OR disagree?
How are these assumptions fair OR

unfair to men and women?

Team Work: INSTRUCTIONS

Get into teams according to the

colors: 2 min
Discuss the appointed questions: 3
min
Write down 5 examples (minimum):
7 min

TEAM WORK

Lesson 2

Video

WORKSHEET 1: WE ARE EQUALS

INSTRUCTIONS
Watch the video again
2. After watching the video complete the worksheet

provided by the teacher IN PAIRS: 7 min

* You do NOT need to answer questions: 10 & 12

PAIR WORK-DISCUSSION
TAKE THE HANDOUTS:

STUDENT A &
STUDENT B
ANSWER THE
QUESTIONS IN TURNS
YOU HAVE 10-15 MIN

*BE READY TO ANSWER THE

QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF THE CLASS

SPEAKING GAME

DISCUSSIONSPEAKING GAME
STUDENT A
1.What are the responsibilities of a father to his

family?
2.Is it okay for women to cry?
3.Should both men and women be allowed to go
to school?
4.Can men wear pink?
5.What would people think of two men involved
in a fist fight?
6.Are more teachers female or male in your
country?
7.How different would the world be without the
opposite sex (excluding reproduction and the
obvious)?
8.Are there different expectations for sons and
daughters?
9.Do any of the gender stereotypes bother you?
10.Do you think housewives live an easy and
happy life?
11.Do you know of any countries where women
are treated unfairly? What is their life like there?
12.Is it common for women and men to take part
in sporting activities?

STUDENT B
1.What are the responsibilities of a

mother to her family?

2.Is it okay for men to cry?
3.What would most people think of two
women involved in a fist fight?
4.What jobs are deemed as appropriate
for men but inappropriate for women?
5.Can women wear mens clothing?
6. How different would the world be
without the opposite sex (excluding
reproduction and the obvious)?
7.What are the typical jobs for men and
women of your parents' generation?
8.Are men and women treated equally and paid equally - at work?
9.What qualities do you admire most in
people?
10.Do men and women have the same
rights in your country?

LESSON 4

CASE STUDY 1
Jamal and Rebecca have been in a relationship for
just under one year. Jamal always decides where
they go, what they do, and pays for everything.
Rebecca has suggested, that as both of them only
have part time jobs, and are low on money, that
they should pay an equal share when out together.
Jamal, however, believes this is inappropriate, and
tells Rebecca that it is a mans job to make
decisions and have financial control. Is he right to
think this?

CASE STUDY 2
During a mixed sex football tournament, the
referee announces that when a girl scores one
goal, it will count as three goals, as he
believes girls are not as good at football as
boys, as it is a male sport. What is wrong
with this statement? Is there such a thing as
male and female sports? Present to the class a
short list of reasons against discriminating in
sport on the grounds of your gender?

CASE STUDY 3
Deepa is thirteen years old, and lives in a small, rural
town in Eastern Nepal. She has been told by her father
that she is to be married in three months time to an
eighteen year old man, whom she has never met, or
even seen a picture of. Deepa protests, but her father
tells her it is of no use, and that she must marry, and
ownership of her will pass from her father, to her new
husband. Is it right for Deepa to be forced to marry?
Why is it inappropriate for girls to be traded and
treated like products?

CASE STUDY 4
Kelly has worked as a maths teacher for over ten
years. The position of head of year has recently
become available, and Kelly is very keen to apply.
However, a friend has informed her that, as there
is only one position available, it will probably go
to a male member of staff, as men are more
suited to leadership roles. Is this statement
unfair? Do you think that both men and women
should be treated equally and be able to reach
senior positions regardless of their gender?

CASE STUDY 5
Alice has recently completed a politics degree from Bangor
University. She hopes, one day, to become a Member of
Parliament for her local constituency. However, as of 2012, less
than 25% of the House of Commons is female, with it being
seemingly more difficult for women to receive candidacy, and
therefore gain election to Parliament, than it is for men, making
Alice question whether or not she should pursue her political
ambition. Why is it inappropriate for people to consider men
more suited to governing and dealing in politics than that of
women? Why gender is an ineffective selection tool in politics,
and instead policy and the desire to make a change for the better
is what matters?

LESSON 4

THE INFLUENCES OF THE MEDIA

Time to watch the commercial

While we watch it again

Take time to analyse what you are seeing.
What is the message of the commercial?
What is the negative impact of advertising

that is conveyed in the Dove video?

What is the positive impact of advertising on
our lives that is conveyed in the Dove video?

AXE

While we watch it again

Take time to analyse what you are seeing.
What is the message of the commercial?
What is the negative impact of advertising

that is conveyed in the AXE video?

What is the positive impact of advertising on
our lives that is conveyed in the AXE video?

PART 2 AXE VS. DOVE

Take the handout on your desk and write down the similarities and
differences of both commercials.

FIND A PARTNER!

C1 - GUIDING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What surprised you in the video?
What strategies does the company use to

influence you?
(Techniques, language, text components, etc.)
Which of the two commercials did you find

more effective? Why?

What is your response to the portrayal of
women in these commercials?

Who is
Unilever?

Notice anything?

QUESTION 3

Does this change your impression or

response to the commercials? What
does this new knowledge say to you
about advertising?
1. Write your answer in the Dove vs. Axe handout.
2. When you are finished, continue working on your
QUEST HANDOUT (Unit 3)

C-3 EVALUATION OPINION

Are

gender roles
important to
society?

INDIVIDUALLY
IN CLASS
225 WORDS