Leisha Cavallaro Gender/Sex Discrimination EDUR 7235: Multicultural Education 1

Topic: Gender/Sex Discrimination *** Attach a complete reference list.

Student name: Leisha Cavallaro

1) What I did to explore this topic? (check all that apply) (for best variety utilize at least one reference from each Tier. _X Peer Reviewed Journal Tier I _X Textbook (for this class) articles _X Academic Books 2) Provide a bulleted list overview of facts you learned through conducting this search: (indicate through appropriate citations where your new knowledge was gained.) Do not use direct quotes; do provide page or paragraph numbers in the citation. Title IX was a federal legislation passed in 1972 that gave equity of the genders in schools in the United States. (Spring, 2010, p. 258). Both genders were found to be equal in both academics and mental health in early years of school; however, by high school girls self-esteem declined 11% more as compared to their male counterparts (Spring, 2010, p. 259). After the previous finding, a follow up study found that boys receive better and more instruction and girls receive better grades for having better behavior (Spring, 2010, p. 260). In a serious of studies done by Williams and his colleagues, there seemed to be stable gender stereotypes around the world. Men are viewed as active, critical, strong and adult like with psychological aspects of dominance, autonomy, aggression, exhibition, achievement and endurance; while females are viewed as passive, weak, nurturing, and adaptive with psychological aspects of abasement, deference, succorance, nurturance, affiliation and heterosexuality (Matsumoto & Juang, 2008, p. 154-155) The National Bureau of Statistics reports that despite the narrowing of the gap there is still a disparity between men and women regarding literacy rates, years of education and rates of beginning and dropping out of school (Dong, Li, Yang & Zang, 2008, p. 65). Despite stride women have made in education, there are still some areas that are dominated by men such as the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields (Robelton, 2012, p.18). Boys are over represented in special education which is thought to be due to a few factors ranging from genetic disorders, bias in referrals as well as behavior issues (Piechura-Couture, 2011, pg. 255).

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3) Provide a synthesis/analysis in paragraph form of how the facts noted above bring meaning to the topic. Explain why the facts are important/significant. Provide an analysis of your learning on the topic. (Do not merely repeat the facts.) (250 words max.) Gender discrimination and equity within education has always been a point of conversation throughout my educational career, but I never really focused on specific facts that bring this issue to life. The United States has led the way with equality for women especially within education with the Title IX which set the stage for equity amongst genders in the educational setting (Spring, 2010). Since then more research has been conducted worldwide following the evolution of women in education which has had narrowing gaps with their male counterparts (Robelton, 2012). This continued research has probably led to the continued improvement of females and education. Its important to note the variations in gender roles and stereotypes as children learn and adapt to them over time. Discrimination becomes more apparent as children age where we see a discrepancy in self-esteem among girls and boys, where boys score 11% higher than female counterparts (Spring, 2010). Studies report that males receive more and better instruction than females in educational settings which could be due to our learned gender roles and sterotypes. Though gender roles vary from nation to nation it seems as though there is a consensus about stereotypes of typical male and female attributes (Matsumoto & Juang, 2008) which could play a part in gender discrimination in education. These stereotypes are evident in the lack of female representation in STEM courses (Robelton, 2012) as well as the overrepresentation of males in special education programs (Piechura-Couture, 2011).

4) Apply your learning to the topic. Describe an issue or aspect of the topic that is relevant to professional educational settings OR present a brief case study of an incident or situation related to this issue (raise questions and/or propose solutions). Demonstrate that you understand how to apply the topic to your profession of teaching. (250 words max.) I was already aware of this issue in education; the complexities of the issue were unknown to me. Through this research I am more aware of how our actions and even inactions as educators can encourage gender discrimination within the education system. Many sex discrimination discussions are focused on the female access to education, which is still an issue in many places around the world. However, it is vital to also note that our stereotypes can also discourage males from venturing to other fields of study as

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well as steering females away from non-traditional female work (i.e. STEM). We are role models in our positions and need to emphasize equity in all aspects of education. Being aware of tendencies such as giving more time to males is useful in trying to control of our actions. Other stereotypes, such as behavioral patterns of specific genders, have also led way to discrimination within education based on sex. Males are typically thought to have more behavioral issues, which could be a reason why educators spend more time instructing them. Additionally it could play a part in the over representation of males in special education. Personally, I was completely unaware of this fact and it does seem as though some males do suffer from some discrimination solely based on their sex, which could in turn hinder their educational success. In general as educators we need to be aware of the fact that discrimination does exist and do our best to not fuel the fire.

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5) Reference List Dong, Q., Li, X., Yang, H., & Zhang, K. (2008). Gender inequality in rural education and poverty. Chinese Sociology & Anthropology,40(4), 64-78. doi:10.2753/CSA00094625400405 Matsumoto, D. & Juang, L. (2008). Culture and psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning Piechura-Couture, K., Heins, E., & Tichenor, M. (2011). The boy factor: Can single-gender classes reduce the over-representation of boys in special education?. Journal Of Instructional Psychology, 38(4), 255-263. Robelen, E. W. (2012). Gender gaps persist in STEM education. Education Week, 31(35), 1719 Spring, J. (2010).The intersection of cultures. New York: Routledge.

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Grading Rubric: (Include this rubric to facilitate grading your assignment.) Does not meet Expectations (D) 0-1 Reference (0-3) Passing (C) Good (B) Superior (A) Grading

Research Quantity

More than 3 15 pts references max (15) Research No reference Reference list Reference list Reference list 5 pts APA Style list (0pts) is not in APA is not APA is in APA max style (1 pts.) style (2pts) style, 6th edition (5pts.) Research Did the student seek out an appropriate variety of references? 10 pts Quality Do the references support student engagement and learning? max Facts 7 or more facts = 10 pts.; 5-6 facts = 7 pts.; 3-4 = 4 pts.; less 10 pts than 3 = 2pts. max Synthesis Addresses less Incorporates Incorporates Incorporates 30 pts or Analysis than 7 facts, 7 of 10 facts 8 of 10 facts all 10 facts in max or merely or addresses in synthesis cohesive reiterates the 8 facts but or analysis or synthesis or facts. (0-14 lacks all 10 facts analysis of pts.) cohesiveness. are used but topic. (25(15-19 pts.) not cohesive. 30pts) (20-24 pts.) Application Does not Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates 30 pts demonstrate emerging adequate superior max understanding understanding understanding understanding of the topic in of the topic in of the topic in of the topic in relation to the relation to the relation to the relation to the field of field of field of field of teaching. (0teaching. (15- teaching. (20- teaching. (2514 pts.) 19 pts.) 45 pts.) 30pts) SCORE: ___100___ of 100 *please leave this grading rubric in place at the end of your assignment so that I can easily use it for grading purposes.

2 References (7)

3 references (10)