THAT’S A "GIRLS" JOB!
By: Christopher Colson

STANDARD: All students will be able to recognize career areas which are nontraditional for their gender.

GRADE LEVEL: 4-6, guidance

OBJECTIVES:

• The student will recognize differences and similarities in females and males.
• The student will identify differences that make everyone unique.
• The student will identify sex roles that are traditional.
• The student will recognize that traditional roles need not be filled by the traditional gender.

TIME: 1-2 hours

MATERIALS: Observation sheet, Chart Paper.

PROCEDURES:

Introduction: The children will be asked to think of roles that people fill according to tradition. Have them make a list "women’s" roles and jobs and "men’s" roles and jobs. This includes careers, part time jobs, chores around the house, or any typical jobs.

Discussion: As a class make a list on chart paper similar to the individual students’ lists. Discuss the list. Do all of the roles fit into the respective gender category? Discuss the roles. What do they involve? Is there any role that physically requires a certain gender? (probably not)

Activity: There are several roles around the school that can be traditionally thought of as belonging to a certain gender. Most belong to females; such as teacher, nurse, and secretary. Others may be male; such as physical education teacher, custodian or principal. (Note: this is not to say that this is always true!) Arrange for the class to spend some time observing the work of a person of the opposite gender. Have them focus on what is specifically required to fill that person’s role. Can it be filled by the opposite gender? Why/ why not?

Conclusion: After making their observations, have the students report back to the class. What was seen? Was their anything to require a specific gender for that role? Discuss why these roles are stereotyped in the first place? Are stereotypes good or bad? What can be done to change them?

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