The
issue of male and female stereotypes have been encompassed in history and could
still linger in society today. In the rise of feminism, females have been able
to gain positions in the public service that were not conventional to female
roles. Patridge’s article on ‘Women graduates have a burning desire to end fire
fighter stereotype’ addresses the growing influence of feminism to society and
raising the stereotypes imposed by male domination. Sommers’ article ‘School
has become too hostile to boys’ highlighted male students culturally victimized
in schools raises awareness on stereotyping imposed on boys in a school
environment.
Breaking
stereotypes was made possible through the growth of diversity in sections of
society. The fire fighters community has been conventionally established as a
male dominated force however the recent growth of fire fighter graduates
challenges this established convention. Interviewing one of the graduates
indicated that females did not share major attributes such as strength with
males however they had endurance and was capable of a handful of tasks that
males were not highly capable. It was a “good mix”. The growth of diversity in
the workforce such as fire fighting can help destroy female stereotyping
however this should be implemented in schools. Sommers’ article focuses on the
dominant culture taught in schools thus males have undergone a lower retention
rate during high school. A male student was recently suspended because they
used a pencil as a pretend gun while laying cops and criminals with his friend.
The same was punishment was given to another male student from another school.
Sommers’ wished to highlight the harshness on male culture in schools and the
growth of feminist topics in the curricula that deter boys form staying in
school. The students were at a pre-school and Sommers identified that boys had
5 times more chances to be expelled from a pre-school than girls. The banning
of typical male activities such as superhero and villain games represses male culture
in schools thus it sends the wrong message to boys especially in an early age.
A video proposes the solution for retaining boys in the schools:
Similarly
to the rise of female fire fighters, a growth of diversity in schools and the
workforce can overcome stereotypical barriers that prevent individuals from
achieving success no matter how small the task may be.
As
a male student studying to become a teacher it is a vital attribute to be able
to comprehend different attributes and interests students have. If I were to
rely on stereotyping it will be an issue to individuals that do not comply with
the stereotype. I was raised in a traditionalist household, males and females
played stereotypical roles. Moving to Australia has made more concessions about
male and female roles. I believe that imposing diversity in the workforce and
schools can overturn these stereotypes that prevent individuals from achieving
success in their passions. Boys don’t have to be intimidated from schools and
women do not have to be intimidated from male dominated work places.
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