Many believe that the greatest source for a nations strength is to provide equal education for all of its students. However, are we as educators short-changing our female students? I believe the answer to this question is an undeniable, Yes! There are different ways and methods to change this problem in our society; hence we must first examine the source of the corruption.
The greatest resources for any country are the educated people that it produces. According to the census taken in the year 2001 in the United States, half of our countrys population is made of women. These strong souled beings have the power and cognitive ability to compete equally and fairly with their male counterparts in any area of education. When I say education, it does not mean the field of education only, I mean all the years of attending basic schooling from kindergarten till twelfth grade and including all subject areas. However, girls do not have an identical educational experience as boys in school. For instance, I remember in fourth grade my teacher only chose boys to be team leaders in sport activities. At that time, we girls didnt think much it, because the atmosphere was such that the boys were the ones who always got to move materials or carry the art or sporting equipment, and that is what we were used to. But one day, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Sara my classmate said to the teacher, Im just as strong as Michael. I can even kick the ball farther than him, but you only choose the boys to be special helpers. How come?
My teacher did not understand the significance of this question and casually answered, boys are meant to do some tasks and girls others. Sara did not like the response that she was given but probably over time learned to accept this backward way of thinking. This type of treatment seems to be the trend in many classrooms across our nation. Our girls are getting the message that boys are better capable of handling different tasks, and therefore, need to be trained by giving them more responsibilities. I bet that Madeline Alberight or Dr. Elizabeth Verba did not accept this philosophy in life. Such methods of thinking reduces a girls self esteem and decreases her chances of getting a higher education and fulfilling goals of becoming world leaders, scientists, inventors, educators or even good mothers.
Whether a person looks at achievement scores, curriculum design, or even the most basic of all, teacher and student interactions, it is clear that gender makes a tremendous difference in the nations public elementary and secondary schools. Our schools have a responsibility to prepare both boys and girls for full and active roles in the family, the community and the work force. Whether we look at these issues from a political, economical or social perspective, it is essential to remembers that girls are one half of our future. As educators, it is critical to move our daughters and sisters from the back of the classroom, to the center and front. We must give them the knowledge and courage to fly. To fly meaning, the self-esteem and encouragement and also the curriculum that does not reinforce the message: A womans place is in the kitchen. We must give our daughters the power to break racial and gender barriers and capability in educating ones self in a series of accomplishments and disappointments known as life.
The question may arise as to what is happening in the classroom that is leading to our girls receiving the shorter end of the stick in education? According to the American Association of University Women, (AAUW), there are several reasons as to why this form of sexist segregation is taking place. Research indicates that girls receive significantly lees attention from classroom teacher than do boys. Plus, sexual harassment of girls by boys- from indirect suggestion to actual assault- in out nations schools is increasing. Research also shows a tendency, beginning at the elementary level for educators to choose classroom activities that appeal more to boys interests. What does this all mean? It mean that girls are treated as the lower sex. And by the time the students get into middle school, boys believe it is acceptable to bring harm to girls, and disrespect them. After all, girls are not as important or cherished as boys, and not worthy of their respect. Unfortunately, this pattern continues through different generation with minor changes.
As mentioned by Adrienne Rich, the contributions and experiences of females are still minimal or ignored in many of the textbooks used in our countys schools. And academic curriculum should serve the purpose of delivering the central message of education. This message can strengthen or decrease student motivation for participation, effort, growth and most important, development through the images given of our world. However, when the curriculum reflects mostly on the accomplishments and challenges of white males, it delivers an incomplete and useless message to our girls. Our job as educators is to create responsible citizens who will be beneficial to our community as a whole. In order to achieve this great task, boys and girls must be treated equally and given the same chances and opportunities for self expression, growth, and education.
In search for solutions to this gender segregation, the words of Adrienne Rich came to mind. In her speech, What Does a Women Need To Know?, Rich states that female attended colleges should be formed and dedicated both to teaching women what women need to know and by the same token, to changing a landscape of knowledge itself. According to Rich our female students should be advised, get all the knowledge and skill you can in whatever profession you enter; but remember that most of your education must be self education, in learning the things women need to know and in calling up the voices we need to hear within ourselves. More important than science, math and history, are students should be taught self-worth and respect. Our girls must feel as equals and be treated as such. In order for our female students to find their voice, we as educators have to give them the strength and encouragement so that they feel confident to take risks and face different challenges and obstacles.
As educators we must not short change our daughters and sisters by not giving them the same equal beneficial and empowering educational experience that are given to our sons and brothers. There are two main solutions that I can think of, which will enable us to create a better future of more happy and intellectual women. One would be to increase the training and awareness of our teachers and future teachers. In order to do this, the school districts should be held responsible for conducting mandatory, paid seminars and lectures for teacher dealing with social problems such as inequality between genders and different racial and religious groups. In addition, the curriculum has to be changed in a way that is advantageous to both boys and girls. For example, the curriculum, womens suffrage and accomplishments must be mentioned. Female professionals should come in as speakers and describe their careers and amount of schooling necessary. Our female students should see that it is possible to have a noble profession and still be able to share family management. The realities and cruelties such as assault and drug abuse should be mentioned and be placed in the standards for social studies. Even though this task can be costly, it is money well spent. By doing this endeavor, we are not only helping our girls but our boys to better understand the realities of life and the fact that their choices can make the large difference in their life and the life of others.
The other alternative to provide a safe and empowering environment for girls is to provide same-sex classes in institutions where the curriculum has been updated for better reflection of society. But do we really have to separate our girls in order for them to be treated fairly and equally as boys? No! When our government stated, All men are created equally, they meant, humans, Homo-sapiens, not only the males. Therefore our girls, our ladies should be give the same tools and opportunities to pursue happiness as our boys, our gentlemen.
Mckee, Alice. How Schools Shortchange Girls. Women and Education. 1992. 92-115. Rich, Adrienne. What Does a Woman Need to Know? Presence of Others. 3rd Edition. Andrea A. Lunsford and John Ruszkiewicz. Boston: Bedford, 2000. 65-71. (*305-A)