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Conversation for teens: Gender

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Conversation for teens: Gender

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Activity 1

Discuss.

Gender

Girls are…Girls can…Girls can’t…Boys are…Boys can…Boys can’t…

Activity 2

Read.

Gender

(CONTINUE READINGNEXT PAGE)

Activity 2Gender

1. a verb meaning to get someone’s attention and prevent them from concentrating on something_____________________ (para 1)2. an adjective to describe someone who believes in their own abilities and so does not feel nervous or frightened_____________________ (para 1)3. a type of school that is only for girls or only for boys _____________________. (para 3)4. a two-word phrase meaning to listen to, watch or consider something or someone very carefully_____________________ (Teacher talks: Boys)5. a type of school where both girls and boys go _____________________ (para 5)6. a verb meaning to try to be better and more successful than someone else _____________________ (para 7)7. a noun that means the policy of keeping people from different groups (e.g. boys and girls) separate_____________________ (para 7)8. a two-word phrase meaning to need someone to help you do something _____________________ (Teachertalks: Girls)9. an adjective that describes something that makes you feel slightly angry or impatient _____________________(para 9)10. an adjective to describe someone who behaves in the sensible way that you would expect an adult to behave_____________________ (para 9)

Activity 3Gender

Write the words next to their meanings. The paragraph numbers and the section titles are given to help you.

distract pay attention depend on mature compete single-sex school segregation annoying confident mixed school

Activity 4Gender

Girls and Boys.Find the information and complete.

Activity 5Gender

• Would you go to a single-sex school?

Yes, I would. I wouldn’t have to worry about how I look and dress. I could focus on

school more and hang out more with girls. (Isaura, 14)

No, I wouldn’t. At an all-girls school, you would get in more fights because there are

no boys to separate you. Girls fight more than boys do. (Jasmine, 14)

No, I wouldn’t go to an all-boys school. Girls are a distraction that needs to be there.

(Rainer, 16) No, I wouldn’t. I’m friends with a lot of girls. If you want a girlfriend, it’s

harder to be with her if you’re at a different school. (John, 16)

Read what the pupils say and then say what you think.

Would you like to go to a single-sex school? Why / Why not? Do you think your school marks would be better or worse in a single-sex school?

Activity 6Gender

“What are little boysmade of?”“What are little girls

made of?”

Discuss.

Activity 6Gender

Activity 7Gender

Which toys are for girls and which are forboys?Is this difference still held in kindergartens?Should girls play with cars? Why?Should boys play with dolls? Why?

Discuss.

Activity 8Gender

Discuss.

Activity 9 Gender

A B

Roleplay. A girl wants to become a doctor. Her mother/father thinks that she should be a nurse, instead, since she is a girl.

Activity 9Gender

A

You are a teenage girl. You want to become a doctor. Your mother/father is a bit old-fashioned. Convince him/her.

Useful language:•I think…•In my opinion…•You shouldn’t…•If I can´t…•If you were younger,…

Activity 9Gender

B

You are a teenage girl’s mother. She wants to become a doctor. You think that being a nurse is more appropriate for a girl. Convince her.

Useful language:•I think…•In my opinion…•You should…•If I were you,…•If you don’t…•Why don’t you…?

Activity 10Let’s match…

the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

treat a person like a tool or toy, as if they had no feelings, opinions, or rights

keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority

FEMINISM

OBJECTIFY

OPPRESS

BACK SOMEBODY

to give moral support to

VULNERABLE

easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally

Activity 11Quotes from Madonna’s speech

“There are no rules—if you’re a boy. If you’re a girl, you have to play the game. What is that game? You are allowed to be pretty and cute and sexy. But don’t act too smart. Don’t have an opinion.”

“Be what men want you to be, but more importantly, be what women feel comfortable with you being around other men.”

“Women have been so oppressed for so long they

believe what men have to say about them.”

“As women, we have to start appreciating our own worth and each

other’s worth.”