DETERMINING THE EXISTENCE OF GENDER BIAS IN DAILY TASKS
By: Kathleen E. van Noort

The overall objective of this lesson is to demonstrate how role responsibilities in the every day environment of home remain based in stereotyping to a great degree.

STANDARD: All students will be able to explain the effects of gender bias, stereotyping and discrimination on relationships.

GRADE LEVEL: Grades 3-6, Social Studies, Math

OBJECTIVE(S): Students will be able to identify task assignments by gender within one's environment, and determine the percentage of responsibilities for males vs. females. Students will explain the affects of these percentages, especially in homes where both the male and female work outside the home, or where the female is also the head of the household.

TIME: Two class periods

MATERIALS: Questionnaire and graph paper

PROCEDURES:

1. Divide all students into groups:

1. all male group
2. all female group
3. a mixed group

2. Students will compile a survey with questions regarding roles within a family For example: who works the longest hours; name of chore; which gender I or both perform the task. See attached sample survey, "Who Does It?"
3. Students will interview parents, family members and a peer regarding his/her family.
4. Students will collect data.
5. Students will discuss the implications of their findings from their data, and seek to find solutions or alternatives to any inequities that have been found.

 EVALUATION: Students will calculate, analyze and graph data.

 HINTS: Teacher may need to be sensitive to a child from a single parent home.

Who Does It?