Understanding Gender
& Gender Inclusive Schools
Gender Stereotypes Activity
Important Terms
Biological/Anatomical Sex: “The physical structure of one’s reproductive organs that is used to assign six at birth.”
Gender Identity: “One’s innermost concept of self as male or female or both or neither--how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves.”
Gender Expression: “Refers to the ways in which people externally communicate their gender identity to other through behavior, clothing, haircut, voice,, and other forms of presentation.”
Gender Role: “This is the set of roles, activities, expectations and behaviors assigned to females and males by society.”
Transgender: “Sometimes used as an umbrella to describe anyone whose identity or behavior falls outside of stereotypical gender norms.”
Sexual Orientation: “Refers to being romantically or sexually attracted to people of a specific gender.”
Gender Normative/Cisgender: “Refers to people whose sex assignment at birth corresponds to their gender identity and expression.”
Gender Fluidity: This term “conveys a wider, more flexible range of gender expression, with interests and behaviors that may even change from day to day.”
Understanding Gender Article
- introduces us to the concept that the terms sex and gender do not mean the same thing. Sex has to do with the reproductive organs that one is born with and gender has to do with one’s internal sense of self as male, female, both, or neither.
- Gender expansive - a term used to describe individuals who broaden the stereotypical definitions of gender. They do this through their identity and expression. Gender expansiveness is not a new concept. It is seen in many cultures throughout history and is a normal part of human experience.
- “typically gendered”/cisgender - generally experience gender privilege. It is a concept that is not often examined by the individuals who receive it, but for an individual who is gender expansive they are constantly reminded that they live in a culture that does not account for their personal experiences.
"Gender Inclusive Schools" Article
- Our society has a limited understanding of gender and the differences between sex and gender. This often leads to bullying in schools due to a lack of understanding and empathy. This can lead to life-long effects such as depression and anxiety.
- We need to recognize, address, and plan according for gender issues in the classroom. There are going to be issues, so we need to know how to handle them as educators.
- A teacher is a "protective agent". It is our job to make sure every student feels as comfortable as possible at school. Provide them with a space that makes them feel comfortable.
Takeaways
- Understanding these terms are so important in order to make all students (and people) feel comfortable.
- Address these issues - do not ignore them.
- Do everything you can to create such a comfortable environment in the classroom.