Chapter 6: Social Context of Schools

Why do we continue to judge based on stereotypes about women versus men? Who’s to say that men are really stronger and better at sports than women? What shows us that females are more intelligent and educated than males? There is no way to determine this due to the fact that everyone is different in many different ways so thought the majority of certain genders seem to fit each category doesn’t mean that we should classify everyone into.

I remember…

Example 1: The boys not passing me the football in gym due to the fact that I was a girl and was unable to pass and catch; however, I proved them wrong when one passed the ball and it flew way over the other guys head and I was a ways behind him and caught the ball scoring us the touch down. They remarked about how that was unnatural for a girl and I said maybe to you but others can see women’s potential. 

Example 2: At one point the guys would joke around saying we girls had to make them sandwiches because that was our job and we belonged in the kitchen due to the fact we were women. I asked them “hmm I wonder what Emerald or Bobby Flay would think of that?” Two cooks who spend a good majority of their time in the kitchen making delicious delectable food concoctions.

Example 3: I remember boys’ thinking it was pointless to take sewing in school because it was a girl thing and they would rather be spending time in wood shop. I remember bringing up the point that in the military those brave men and women spend time learning how to sew as a survival tactic so I am sure they would beg to differ. 

My home high school took part in challenge day (link below) and it opened our eyes to the bullying going on in the school forcing us to want to make a difference. It was a life-changing event that I would do again in a heartbeat and hope to bring to my school and bring their ideas to my class. Our school formed a group called "Be the Change" which took the ideas learned in this event and brought them forward in the school and classroom settings. It was remarkable I wanted to give the link to our schools personal page but you must be a member in order to view everything so the class and such would be unable to see it. Instead I added the link to the page of the program that brought change and positive thinking to my hometown school. It was a day full of life changing events, tear, remarkable discoveries, and a chance to be real and true to others and ourselves.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Be-the-Change-Movement-Challenge-Day/19192952301

Through all this I came up with the idea to make a list of things my class vows to uphold in making sure to make our classroom is a safe environment. 

Respect List

I vow to…

1.  Not to snicker at these vows.

2. Not use discriminating terms towards others in the classroom.

3.  Not bully others in any way such as cyber, verbal, physical, etc.

4. Make sure everyone feels safe coming to class.

5.  Be encouraged to express myself freely without worrying about bad feedback from others.

6. Not take part in negative judgments, thoughtless jokes, rumors, or oppressive behaviors, comments or violence that hurts others while in the classroom.

7.  Celebrate each person’s diverse beliefs even if I do not always agree.

8. Be willing to stand up for others when I see a bad situation occurring.

9. Create a positive atmosphere in the classroom.

10.           Lastly to always have an open mind!