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In recent years, blatant sexism and the reinforcement of gender stereotypes in the education system have become more obvious. The reinforcement of gender stereotypes in schools starts from a young age, placing children in an arbitrary box of the acceptable behaviors and reactions of males and females. One idea that schools reinforce is that females are weak and emotional, while boys are strong and brave.For example, teachers in schools often ask whether there are any “strong boys'' when they need help with something that requires strength. Such behaviors that are seemingly insignificant can lead to harmful impacts on girls and boys who begin to see themselves as what society deems them to be, and could also create stereotypes for how boys and girls should act and think. An anonymous quote from a female student who participated in a study with UK Feminista about sexism in schools said, “I thought I was going to fail maths and science, but then my teacher told me it's okay because girls tend to be better at expressive lessons.”
Another example of sexism in schools is the activities that children are restricted to based on their gender. For example, many sports teams either don’t allow females to participate in them, or don’t create a separate team, like football or rugby. In many schools, if there is a female team, they usually get less time on the field for practice than the male team. On the other side of the spectrum, male students struggle with expressing their desire for more artistic activities. A male student from the same study from UK Feminista said, “I was constantly bullied for being in choir and enjoying drama. As a result of that, I lost my passion for the arts.” These arbitrary boxes set by gender stereotypes have led students to miss out on opportunities or lose passion for certain activities that don’t fit inside the perceived gender norms.
Lastly, one of the most prominent underlying issues contributing to sexism in schools is the sexism present in dress codes. Girls get sent home for simply showing their shoulders or legs because it “distracts” boys. It raises the question of why a girl’s education should be compromised due to the clothes they are wearing. The majority of administered dress code violations are towards girls, especially those of color, and these behaviors begin in elementary schools. Female students consistently reported that the dress code sexualized them: they were told that outfits such as spaghetti straps were provocative and distracted male students from learning.
Tackling the root issues of sexism in the education systems and the unconscious bias of students and administrators who contribute are effective ways to overcome sexism. Additionally, implementing policies and legislation on gender equality in education, quitting sending females home on the sole fact that their clothes are distracting males, reviewing textbooks to make sure that they are free of sexism and gender stereotypes, teaching gender equality/sexuality education, and making sure there is proper representation of women in STEM, artistic, athletic, etc. fields are all ways to address sexism. Although this is only the tip of the iceberg, these actions can slowly begin to break down the gender stereotypes holding girls and boys back from pursuing their interests in school.
Sources
Craig, Aysha. “Sexism in High School Sports Isn't Dead Yet.” CC Spin, https://ccspin.net/1553/opinion/sexism-in-high-school-sports-isnt-dead-yet/.
“It's Just Everywhere - Sexism in Schools.” NEU, https://neu.org.uk/advice/its-just-everywhere-sexism-schools.
Pavlakis, Alyssa, et al. “How Dress Codes Criminalize Males and Sexualize Females of Color.” Kappanonline.org, 10 Dec. 2020, https://kappanonline.org/pavlakis-roegman-dress-codes-gender-race-discrimination/.
“Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes: How Our Schools Narrow Children's Choices | Athene Donald.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 9 Dec. 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2013/dec/09/gender-stereotypes-schools-children-choices.
Student “It’s Just Everywhere” - Coe. https://rm.coe.int/report-its-just-everywhere-neu-uk-feminista/168079cee0.
Zhou, Li. “Why School Dress Codes Are Sexist.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 21 Oct. 2015, https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/school-dress-codes-are-problematic/410962/.
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