Robie Allen G.

Belizon July 9, 2022

BSEE - 2B

Gender in the Classroom

This week’s topic is all about the how gender plays an integral role in the educational
environment of students, especially classrooms. In the beginning of the discussion, the school’s
role in the socialization of young individuals is emphasized. There are various ways on how we
can approach and shape the attitudes, differences, cognition and behavior of students with
respect to their genders. It is stressed that, no matter the differences, learning institutions
must fit the educational needs of every student within their chosen “gender-differentiated
pathways”. As the discussion progresses, the class then conversed about the agents of
socialization, such as Family, School, Peer Groups, Workplace, Media, and Religion. In this topic,
the role of the school as a socializing agent is emphasized. As it shapes children with the
necessary skills and intellect for their future, schools also help contribute into molding the
gender roles of each student as perceived by our society. Due to this, gender differences can
arise from two primary sources, which are teachers and peers. These sources can directly
influence the gender differences of students by simply conversing with them on a daily basis.
Furthermore, in schools, there are room for gender stereotypes and prejudices which, when
reinforced by teachers and peers, influence students on their preferences and behavior.

As a student, I can say that gender stereotypes and prejudices are very common in our
educational institution. The worst of which was the stereotyping of “short hair for boys” every
first Monday of the month on my days back at my Junior high school. If not strictly followed
correctly, boys received discrimination, verbal harassment, and were denied entry of the school
premises. This stereotype is one of many that hurts the inclusiveness of classrooms that we are
all trying to create and achieve. It is important that these issues are open to discourse in order
for everyone in an educational institution, administrator, teacher, staff, or student, to truly feel
that they belong in the school community.
 Education is important into shaping the minds, hearts, and souls of every individual into
becoming a functioning member of our society. Without knowledge, civilization itself would
cease to exist. However, knowing this, in our schools, we must also be open to discussion about
our differences on how we can find middle-ground among each issue that we find. It is
imperative that everyone in the institution feels valued, cared for, and is treated equally not
matter what their gender is. Equal opportunities must also be given to everyone so that they all
have the ability to propel themselves towards the bright future that the students dream to be.
Robie Allen G. Belizon July 9, 2022
BSEE - 2B

Answer the following questions briefly

1. How does gender affect the classroom

- Gender is primarily affected in the classroom by two sources. These are the teachers
and our peers. Their feedback and how students converse with directly influence the behavior,
habits, and preferences. Besides these, it also important to consider the environment in which
the students learn in. We must strive to achieve a classroom that is not hostile. A place in which
everyone of every gender feels welcomed, valued, and most importantly, treated equally.

2. Determine the three factors that contribute to gender inequality. Discuss

- There are a lot of factors that contribute to gender inequality. The ones discussed here
were gender stereotyping, gender discrimination, and the inability of some people to respect
an individual’s gender differences. In the classroom, these often happen due to uninformed
people. These may be the teachers, peers, or administrators that propagate these kinds of
behavior. An example of these are the roles assumed by each gender in the class. They are in
the form of “boys are stereotyped be better at mathematics than girls” and others.

3. Determine the implications of the following in school reforms. Discuss

a. Parents - Parents are the first to voice out the concern of their children. They are
sometime the ones that initiate action in the forms of parent-teacher conferences,
meeting the administrators, and participating in various school activities. Their opinion
matters a lot in the discussion of school reforms, especially if it concerns their children.
b. Teachers - As educators, their priority is giving the students the quality education and
equal treatment that they need. The reforms made by the school are aligned with the
intention of giving teachers and students the environment in which they can
successfully learn with comfort, value, and ease.

c. Policymakers - As the body that decides the school reforms, they must put into
consideration, besides the implementation of quality education, the needs and gender
differences of each student, as discussed earlier. It is important that, as they learn,
they are in an environment that promotes growth and equal treatment above all.