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As a way of
introducing the term "gender role," it is best to get this question out of the
way. The basic answer is the difference between male and female sexual organs,
and following from that the fact that men can make women pregnant, and that
women can bear and nurse children.
Encourage students to bring up other examples of the
differences between men and women; these will be useful as examples of gender
roles. The discussion will probably turn on exceptions to the generalities. For
example, someone may say that men are taller and stronger than women, and you
may have some examples in the group to disprove that statement. Someone may say
that women are better cooks than men, and someone else will point to her
brother who is a chef in a restaurant, or her sister who burns everything.
When we say "Most women, (but not all) do this," or
"Most men, (but not all) do that," we have a statement of a gender role.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
One
dictionary meaning of gender is "sex." You may wish to use the term "sex role"
instead of "gender role." Either now or after you have done Section B, the
group should come to a common understanding of a gender or sex role as "the way
you are supposed to behave if you are a woman, or the way you are supposed to
behave if you are a man." Clearly lots of discussion is possible about the
words "supposed to."
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A. A Definition of Gender
Roles
1. Guided discussion
* Show the students a drawing of the male/female figures usually
found on the doors of public washrooms. These figures are very interesting
because they differentiate the sexes by clothing, even though they are no
longer accurate. Some questions to consider:
- Does the figure with pants on mean that this is the washroom
for all people who wear pants?
- Does the figure with a skirt on mean only people wearing
skirts can come in?
- Does anyone ever go into the wrong washroom because they
misunderstand the signs?
- Why do we use these symbols for men and women? How long ago
were they accurate in Canada?
- Are there places in the world where men wear skirts?
- We see these signs only on washrooms. Are there any other
places where men are not allowed? Where women are not allowed?
- What is the difference between men and women?
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Bridget Bruneski, who field tested the chapter, said that students who
missed the discussions around a definition of gender role were confused,
frustrated and had a negative attitude to the work of the chapter. She says, "I
feel that the success of the unit really depended on a clear understanding of
and involvement in the activities in sections A-1, B and D." Given her
experience, you might want to do some review for people who miss these
sessions, and leave the charts from Section B on the wall to refer to in later
discussions.
* Introduce the term "gender role" to the students, perhaps by
talking about the meaning of "role" as in role playing or acting. |