IS THE BRADY BUNCH BIASED?
By: Christopher Colson

The overall objective of this lesson is to enable students to develop a keener awareness of gender bias on television and in movies. As the T.V. as a medium can present powerful messages, and become the key communication vehicle through broad-band technology, it is imperative that children learn to analyze and evaluate these instantaneous messages.

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

GRADE LEVEL: 4-6, Language Arts

OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will identify gender stereotypes and bias.
2. The student will identify the problems of gender bias in the situation on the television shows where they witnessed it.
3. The student will develop a possible solution for the stereotype or bias they witnessed.

TIME: 1-2 hours.

MATERIALS: Television shows from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, or movies (fairy tales), and a TV and VCR. Examples: The Brady Bunch, Bonanza, Dallas, Marcus Welby, M.D., E.R., even Star Trek and the Star Wars movies. Also, the Disney animated movies.

PROCEDURES:

Introduction: The children will review the definition of stereotype, and some traditional roles of males and females.

Activity: The shows, as selected by the teacher, will be shown to the class. When an instance of stereotypical behavior, or a gender bias situation occurs, the children should be given a chance to think about the problem. Ask them to come up with a response or a solution to the problem at hand. Give them time to write their answers. Continue this throughout the show or movie.

Discussion: The class will then discuss their responses to the gender situations. Allow them to reconstruct the situation. Take the time to get many responses to the situations. This helps to show there may be more than one solution to the problem. Discuss the responses. Which one would the class feel comfortable doing? Remember to address any misconceptions the students may have.

Conclusion: Review what a stereotype can do: misjudgments, preconceptions, embarrassing moments, hurt feelings, etc.

Extension: Have the children write about a time when they may have faced a stereotype, or were hurt because they were expected to act a certain way because of their gender. How did they feet? How did they respond?