Writer: Mariana Lamprea
Editor: Abbie Geering
Picture: Gabrielle Pascal
What are gender stereotypes?
Gender stereotypes are the set of stereotyped ideas that are used to explain the behavior of both men and women, how they should behave and the roles they should play in work, family, public spaces, and how they should relate to each other.
Each culture elaborates its own gender stereotypes that depend on the roles in the social frameworks in which they are constructed; however, numerous studies have found universal common ground. They are incorporated through learning in socialization and there is no rational justification; nonetheless , they influence attitudes and behaviors. For this reason they are frequently used in marketing, advertising, film, and media.
These affect girls around the world regardless of their country's level of development and are promoted by society at large, from parents to teachers. This is one of the main conclusions of the World Study on Early Adolescence prepared by the WHO and John Hopkins University. And this, which some may consider trivial, has very damaging consequences for girls from an early age by lowering their aspirations and limiting their career options.
According to research published in the journal Science in 2017, intellectual ability arises early and influences the interests of children, girls begin to feel less intelligent than boys from the age of six. "Neither boys nor girls are born sexist, there is something that together as a society we do to bring them to that point," says Miriam González Durántez, founder of Inspiring girls. Therefore, the subject has an enormous sociocultural background, associating certain activities, clothes, and hobbies with men and others with women. UNESCO warns that women are underrepresented in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics): only 29% of researchers worldwide are women.
The end of stereotypes begins in the classroom
The germ of stereotypes is in education, and there also lies its solution. For this, as established by UNESCO in its World Education Monitoring Report, the support of governments is essential. For example, when regularly reviewing curricula, textbooks, and teacher training programs, ensuring that gender stereotypes are not perpetuated. When considering the promotion of apprenticeship programs, mentoring, networks, or scholarships, encourage the incorporation of women into STEM fields. Within schools, the roles of teachers becomes essential when it comes to imparting quality and equal teaching that seeks the well-being of students and respect for professional standards.
Some tips for teachers and others who work with children to act inside and outside the classroom are:
• Raise awareness against sexism. Questioning certain stereotypes that we take as natural and are actually social constructions.
• Address the issue of equality without complexes. Ignore criticism or pressure from third parties when addressing equality issues.
• Join forces for an equal education. The more types people involved in education, the more effective it will be.
• Work crosswise. Reinforce boys and girls in their preferences regardless of whether or not they coincide with that of stereotypes expected.
FEMALE REFERENCES TO AVOID DISCRIMINATION
Is it possible to erase these stereotypes from our minds? The organization Inspiring Girls, which was born in the United Kingdom and already has a presence in nine other countries, says yes. Its objective is to improve the self-esteem, professional ambition, and job expectations of school-age girls. Helping them to make visible the wide variety of professions that exist without the fact of being a woman implying any type of limitation.
How do they do that? Organizing workshops between girls and women of reference in their professions. The women volunteers offer their time to go to schools and explain to the youth their professional activity, what they are passionate about, their work, and what obstacles they encountered during their career development. Ultimately, it's about raising awareness for the need of female role models who can become sources of inspiration for the women of tomorrow.
“We live as a family of nations. It is necessary that each member of that family receive equal opportunities for economic, social, and educational growth. If one of the members lags behind, the rest will not be able to continue forward."
-Malala Yousafzai-
(Pakistani activist, defender of human rights, and fighter for female education worldwide).
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