ETE 663 - CHAPTER 10 - GENDER

Much of the early research and legislation, such as Title IX for example has been focused on the development of girls. The research and legislation has expanded awareness of the development of girls and also opened the dialogue to innocuous and blatant gender biases. In more recent years the focus has shifted to boys for a variety of reasons, including an increase in school violence. When I read the  “draw a scientist research question/method” and what children subsequently drew back then and now, it made me wonder how race or skin color would impact this drawing.

Despite having the first African-American first family, the perception of black women remains negative. When children are asked to draw a woman, by in large that image would be of a female with features normally associated with white woman rather than features associated with black women. I don't’ think America sees black women or black girls with the same gender sensitivity and respect as white women and white girls.

The text shares subject matter considered more complex, such as mathematics is still predominately dominated by men. This dynamic exist not because of lack of female talent in mathematics. The text shares that there are in fact a significant number of qualified female mathematicians. The text also goes on to explain that “these women were not viewed as creditable and were largely ignored”.  Marriage and gender roles within the marriage framework have a negative impact on the number of women remaining in the workforce practicing their craft.

I found it interesting that research conducted in 2002 by the National Center for Educational Statistics showed boys have a higher drop out rate than girls; are reprimanded more harshly and publicly than girls, comprise 71% of all school suspensions and were the minority in college enrollment. Yet men dominate corporate America.

QUESTION: The boys tracked by the National Center for Educational Statistics grow up to be men, running corporations and educational institutions. Is there a direct correlation between the facts outlined in the research and the state of this male dominated America in which we live?