Sometimes we say something to another person that we believe is true because of their gender.
This is a part of Gender Doesn't Limit You! [1], also available as a PDF [2].
Note: Substitute your school's name for "St. Francis." You can replace the provided student names with names of your students, too.
Problem: Remember that gender is whether you are a boys or a girl. Sometimes boys tell girls that they are cry babies and are not tough enough to play with them.
Rationale: Saying something like this is not a nice thing to do and hurts people's feelings. Girls and boys are more alike than you think. Both boys and girls cry and both boys and girls are tough and can do anything and can act anyway they want to do. Making fun of someone because you think they will act in a certain way because they are a boy or a girl is bullying, and bullying is not allowed at St. Francis.
Questions: What should you say when someone judges you because of your gender?
You should answer: "I disagree! Sexism is silly to me."
Case Practice:
I. Okay, so let's practice what we should say if someone judges us because we are a boy or a girl! Melissa and Derek are playing with a play fire engine during recess. Derek tells Melissa that she can't play with the fire engine because only boys can become firefighters. What do we tell Derek? One, two, three GO!
Answer: "I disagree! Sexism is silly to me."
II. Good job! Let's try another one. Ashley and Wes are in science class together. The teacher asks someone to help her dissect a frog. Wes tells Ashley that she can't help because girls are crybabies and will only cry when she dissects the frog. What do we tell Wes? One, two, three GO!
Answer: "I disagree! Sexism is silly to me."
III. Good job!Let's try another one. Sumen is playing in her room with her Barbie doll. Her brother Raj comes in and starts to play with another Barbie doll. Sumen tells Raj that he can't play with the Barbie doll because only girls can play with Barbies. What do we tell Sumen? One, two, three GO!
Answer: "I disagree! Sexism is silly to me."
IV. Good job! Let's try another one. Lynda, Javier and Michelle are at home and Lynda decides to play house. Javier wants to play house with Lynda and Michelle, but Lynda says that only girls can play house. What do we tell Lynda? One, two, three GO!
Answer: "I disagree! Sexism is silly to me."
Links:
[1] http://www.tolerance.org/gender
[2] http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/tt_gender_doesnt_limit-2.pdf