Unit 3 Deconstructing gender stereotypes: let’s take action

Now that you are aware of your biases and how gender stereotypes can affect negatively your students’ attitudes, decisions and achievements with short and long lasting effects, it is time to get acquainted with different approaches and strategies that will enable you deconstruct these gender stereotypes.

Deconstructing gender stereotypes is, without a doubt, easier said than done, especially for teachers.  On the other hand, teachers can and do make a difference. There are many ways in which teachers can reduce gender-biased obstacles and challenges to make a positive lasting impact on students. 

If we look back at the research-informed programme Improving Gender Balance and Equalities Programmes (Scotland, April 2019), we will find two other important key-points:

• Identifying and addressing gender stereotypes in early years, primary and secondary school classrooms can help reduce a range of gender imbalances.
• Changing gender stereotype beliefs, attitudes and behaviours will require continued comprehensive messages of gender balance through multiple varied approaches.

Clearly, it is not always possible for teachers to intervene in curricula building or even at education policies level, but they are responsible for the strategies they implement in the classroom and at school to make sure students feel welcome, safe, and, successful and, they can thus change outcomes for students by erasing gender stereotypes in their learning space.