Masculinity and femininity - types and impact
An teaching idea on how to examine the impact of masculinity and femininity on the behavior of young people in certain situations.
About the project
Femininity - Masculinity - Stereotypes - Socialization
Connection to the Education Policy: Social skills
Type of material: Projects
Target audience: Students and staff aged 9-16
Subjects: Mental and social well-being, Equality, Sexual health, Body image/body positivity, Communication, Stereotypes
Masculinity / femininity
The impact of masculinity and femininity on young people's behavior in specific situations, such as on dates, at school (during recess), in sports, etc.
- Ask students to write down everything that comes to mind related to these concepts or display it on a screen, for example, on slido.com. Ask students to respond on their phones, examine the words, and determine if they are positive or negative. How and in what situations can they be particularly positive or particularly negative? What words are used for those who do not meet the "criteria" of masculinity or femininity (wimps, dykes, gays, bitches)?
- Pair students in small groups, each group gets a scenario (dates, parties, recess, at the work-study program, etc.). How do gendered ideas manifest there? What are the unwritten rules, who can do what and who cannot? What is expected of them? (Examples: how they should look, who leads the discussions, who makes the first move, who is passive)