CHAPTER 4

GENDER
Differences Between Males and
Females
Males Females
O In early life, mature more slowly and are
sick more often
O Not prone to eating or other psychological
disorders
O Fewer problems caused by teen pregnancy
O Attention-getting classroom behavior
O Higher mathematics and science test scores
O Higher SAT test scores for admission to
college
O More likely to earn a degree in engineering
or computer technology
O More likely to have high-prestige and
higher-paying job
O More likely to die in accidents or be victims
of violent crime
O More likely to commit suicide
O Around puberty, confidence drops, interest in
math and science slips, and interest in beauty
grows
O Fewer learning and behavioral disorders
O Less likely to participate in group sport
activities
O Fewer discipline problems
O Higher academic performance
O Higher reading and writing test scores
O Higher educational aspirations
O More likely to graduate from high school
and college
O Less likely to have incomes equal to their
male counterparts
O More likely to be sexually assaulted
O More likely to attempt suicide
Differences Based on Nature
O The X and Y chromosomes that determine our
sex represent a very small proportion of our
gene pool- males and females share roughly
99.8% of their gene pools.
O The differences in psychological traits and
academic abilities between the average male
and female are quite small.
O Boys need more one-on-one verbal
engagement and hands on learning.
O Girls need to be engaged to develop their
mathematics, science, and spatial skills at
higher levels.
Gender Identity
Masculinity Femininity
O Measured by a mans
independence,
assertiveness,
leadership, self-reliance,
and emotional stability.
O Suppose to be tough,
confident, and self-
reliant as well as
aggressive and daring.
O Many men are
empathetic and caring.

O Characterized as
emotional, dependent,
compliant,
empathetic, and
nurturing.
O Tracked into the fields
of teaching, health
care, and social
services.
O Most women are
tough and assertive.

Transgender Identity
O Individuals are born with biological trappings of one sex,
and behave like the other sex.
O Some have surgery or use hormones to transform their
bodies to match the sex with which they identify.
O This process is called sex or gender reassignment.
O Someone is considered transgender when their identity,
appearance, or behavior falls outside the conventional
gender norms.
O Some are considered transvestites that cross-dress.
O May choose a name that denotes their identity rather than
their sex.
O Best way to interact with a transgender person is as if the
person is the sex with which he/she identifies.
O Transgender students often face sexual harassment.
Struggles for Gender Equity
O In many parts of the world today, women are not
considered equal to men.
O The Seneca Falls Convention-women fought against
their oppression, but most women did not because
they didnt view their conditions as oppressive.
O The 1963 Equal Pay Act required that men and
women receive equal pay for the same job.
O In 1964 the words or sex was added to the phrase
race, color, national origin, or sex which declared
that discrimination against being a women and being
hired was prohibited.
O Women are now presidents of major corporations,
they have been candidates for President and Vice
President, and theyve been secretaries of state.
Sexual Harassment
O Sexual Harassment- unwanted and unwelcome
sexual behavior that includes verbal, visual, or
physical abuse that interferes with the victims
normal life.
O Can happen in the work place, can be a co-worker
or even a boss using their power against you.
O Can happen in schools, often happens while other
students watch, perpetrators include male and
female teachers, school administrators, janitors,
and coaches as well as other students.
O It is not just boys who do the harass other
students; girls do it too, but less often.
O High rates occur on sports teams and fraternities.

Title IX
O Passed in 1972
O Prevents discrimination in
O the admission of students, particularly to post
secondary and vocational institutions
O The treatment of students
O The employment of all personnel.

O Makes it illegal to treat students differently on basis of
gender.
O Requires that all programs, activities, and
opportunities offered by a school district be equally
available to males and females.
O ALL courses must be made available to all students.

This completes the
lesson on our chapter
that covers Gender.
Now lets play some
Gender Jeopardy!!!
Resources:
O Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society, Gollnick,
Donna M., Pearson, 2012, 9
th
Edition
O Wikipedia. Gender. Last modified April 2014.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender
O http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/8/Gender-roles.html
O Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Critical Reader,
Dines, Gail, SAGE Publications 2010
O Hall, Carla. Teachers Share Lessons About Gender
Roles. Los Angeles Times. 24 Apr 1996.
http://articles.latimes.com/1996-11-24/local/me-
2651_1_gender-roles