It is important for educators to gain an understanding of gender issues in school today. While gender equality in education is a worthwhile goal, the statistics show that it remains out of reach.
The problem is that adolescent girls are still losing interest in math, science and technology related subjects, perpetuating the gender gap in these areas. The area of computer science, however, continues to see the largest gender gap exist between male and female students.
Educators can help to improve this situation by understanding the root causes of the discrepancy between men and women in technology fields. Some of these root causes include gender bias, an existing technology gender gap, and the importance of the adolescent years in addressing the issue. There are also significant differences in the ways that men and women relate to and use technology.
According to some experts on the subject, when it comes to gender issues in school there are some strong comparisons that can be drawn between racism and sexism. For example, both of these social problems are primarily witnessed in the different institutional arrangements which privilege some while oppressing others. Also, both racism and sexism can be considered forms of violence at a collective and individual level.
This violence can be either physical, psychological or both. In terms of education and other areas, sexism is expressed in the form of low expectations for female students which are harmful to their development. Female students also suffer from certain forms of tracking which even female teachers are guilty of engaging in. Gender is both a social and biological category, with the social aspect being shaped and enforced at school.
Those who are looking for more information on the topic of gender issues in school will find that there are a number of useful websites on the topic. One of these is the American Association of University Women (AAUW) website, which offers a number of helpful reports on the topic of gender equity in the school system. The website also publishes the findings of the 2011 Crossing the Line study on sexual harassment in high school.
The statistics that this study presents on sexual harassment in school and the negative impacts on female students are sobering. Another recommended website is AAUW, The Simple Truth About The Gender Pay Gap, which reveals the findings of a 2011 study on the topic confirming that there is a significant pay gap between men and women in the US today.
Related School Education Resources
Girls Denied the Same Opportunity as Boys to Excel in Math
Girls Deserve the Same Education as Boys
Ways to Increase Girls’ Involvement in Class
