GENDER ISSUES IN EDUCATION

Gender Issues In Education

Gender Issues In Education

Title IX of the US law passed in 1972 states that, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…” It is best known for its impact on athletics rather than equity in the provision of academic instruction, and is still being defined because of continuing controversy over the law's interpretation. A blue ribbon panel in 1992 stated that the Department of Education “reaffirmed its strong commitment to equal opportunity for boys and girls” and the issue of gender equality in education continues to be a work in progress. In this paper we will discuss the equity issues in education. Further we analyze the role of teacher curriculum and school attitude in catering the issue (Budlender, 2002).

The Gender Gap

Many conclude that the gender gap is closing and that differences within gender groups are more significant than the differences between them. Ethnicity, race, disability, and economic differences are a more striking indicator of inequality than gender. However, the gender gap still exists with boys continuing to lag in communication and language arts and girls failing to participate equally in math, science and engineering. Educators need to begin at elementary school level and to be aware that equity issues in education mean a whole lot more than having an equal number of boys and girls in the classroom (Marchand, 1995).

Gender Bias Classrooms

Subtle but potent gender biases exist in classrooms and the difference between biased and equitable teaching is sometimes difficult for a teacher to appreciate. Thoughtful teaching strategies can undo this bias and promote gender equity and teachers needing information can access helpful resources.

Influence of Teachers

Even though many teachers consider that they treat boys and girls the same way. However, the research into gender discrimination in education point out that the teachers frequently discriminate between boys and girls in many aspects. The Study conducted by Howard showed that the teacher's gender have little impact on the end result; it is the gender of the students, which make the distinction. For instance, male students are given more attention by the teachers (remediation, criticism, praise, and acceptance) mostly in math and science classes. Male students receive more rigorous punishment than female students; maybe it is because of reinforcing that teacher has higher expectations for the male students than female students. Female students are frequently pleased and appreciated for being calm, neat and quiet. Male students are often give confidence to be energetic, speak up and think independently (Marchand, 1995).

Women are still stereotyped as the weaker sex and they are instilling fear attitudes and repression of her being. In contrast, men are considered to be the stronger sex, emphasizing the harshness and rationality, but also inhibited part of his being: the affective and emotional. This is seen in different instances, but one of the most notorious are the physical ...