Analyzing Gender Stereotypes in Media

Goals

Understand the nature of media and some of the roles media might play in their lives ;

Think critically about the way gender is defined and the use of gender stereotypes in many forms of media ;

Work toward becoming critical consumers of the media in their daily lives ;

Use creative forms of expression to fight against harmful media messages ;

See themselves as a community standing up against stereotypes together.

Brief description of the issue

A strong endorsement of gender stereotypes is associated with higher school dropout rates, for boys as well as for girls. These stereotypes are widely shared through advertisements, which children see basically every day. It is therefore important to put specific activities on this topic in place (like this one!) to break down gender stereotypes with children.

The Teaching Tolerance website has put together a variety of classroom resources in many social justice domains and on multiple topics. The mission of this organization is “to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy” by providing them free resources.

This lesson plan, Analyzing Gender Stereotypes in Media, according to the website, “helps students analyze and critique messages about gender that they get from various media. Students will focus on toys and toy advertisements, challenging themselves to think past what advertisements tell them about their gender identity.”

Click on this link to access the whole lesson plan.