Discuss sexism is schools.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. According to a classic review of more than 1,000 research publications about girls and education, girls are treated unequally by their teachers, their male peers, and the school curriculum (Sadker & Silber, 2007). The reviewers concluded:? Many teachers pay less attention to girls than boys, especially in math, science, and technology classes.? Many girls are subjected to sexual harassment-unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature-from male classmates, and many teachers ignore it.? Some textbooks still stereotype or ignore women, portraying males as the movers and shakers in the world.In a widely cited study, Myra Sadker and David Sadker (Sadker & Silber, 2007) observed students in fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade classes in four states and in the District of Columbia. Teachers and students were European American and African American, urban, suburban, and rural. In almost all cases, the findings were depressingly similar. Boys generally dominated classroom communication, whether the subject was math (a traditionally "masculine" area) or language arts (a traditionally "feminine" area). Despite the stereotype that girls are more likely to talk or even chatter, boys were eight times more likely than girls to call out answers without raising their hands. So far, it could be said, we have evidence of a gender difference, but not of sexism. However, teachers were less than impartial in responding to boys and girls when they called out. Teachers, male and female, were more likely to accept calling out from boys. Girls were more likely to be reminded that they should raise their hands and wait to be called on. Boys, it appears, are expected to be impetuous, but girls are reprimanded for "unladylike behavior." Until they saw videotapes of themselves, the teachers were largely unaware they were treating girls and boys differently.