This document discusses gender stereotypes, which are generalizations about men and women that are presented as fixed norms but are not supported by evidence. It notes that stereotypes can limit what people feel they can do and experience based on their sex. Some examples of common gender stereotypes given include assumptions that women are weak, less responsible, and suited for domestic work and caregiving while men are strong, ambitious leaders not expected to show emotion. The document argues that people incorporate stereotypes from a young age through toys, games, and social expectations, and that ignoring individual differences can result in unfair treatment.

1. Boys and girls
Adapted from Programa ‘Queremos saber’, by Canal Encuentro

2. Throughout history, there have been stereotypes
for men and for women. These stereotypes define
and limit what a person can or can’t do according to
their sex. They define roles and characteristics.
Be careful!!
These stereotypes can predetermine our sexuality
and prevent us from enjoying it.

3. The problem is that stereotypes give a limited
image of people. They don’t consider differences;
and they determine our judgement, emotions,
values, and decisions to act. And in our daily life,
they can result in unfair situations.
What are stereotypes?
Stereotypes are general comments about people
that have no scientific evidenece.

4. An example of a gender stereotype is when people say that
women are “the weak sex”. So, they don’t think that women
are strong, and they don’t trust women to do jobs involving
responsibility. In our society, boys tend to have a more
dominant role than women, who have a submissive role.
What are gender stereotypes?
MECHANIC
WANTED

5. Think about it, and you’ll find many exmples.
And we don’t notice them, because we think
it’s normal.

6. You can also see how these stereotypes
appear on the radio, TV, the internet,
videogames, magazines and newspapers.

7. Think of situations that tell us how women are supposed to
behave, like games and leisure activities, or work. For
example, people insist that girls should learn to do the
housework: cooking, ironing, washing.
But we never hear these recommendations
said to boys. We assume these are girls’
activities.

8. Think advertisements for cleaning products. It’s
women who suffer when the house is dirty, and
they magically become happy when a new
cleaning prouct appears. As if women’s happiness
depended of cleaning only.

9. Think of some of the phrases we say in our daily
life:
•“Girls are tidier, more responsible and organised”
•“Girls are good at humanistic subjects”
•“Girls don’t use bad language”
•“Girls don’t play rough”
•“Girls are more romantic”
•“Girls are calmer”
And there are much more!
What things do we say
about boys?
Time to think!

10. Following these prejudice, we expect women to be soft and
obedient, even as girls. And that later they get married, have
children, and take over most of the housework and child
upbringing
Actually, even though they may work outside the house, they
still face domestic responsibilities virtually on their own.

11. And what about boys?
Boys are expected to get high previliged positions at work
where they have to make decisions
Boys are not expected to show their emotions or ask for help
Even when they’re little, we demand that bouys are tough,
respond aggressively, win fights and are self-sufficient.
Don’t we often say: “Boys don’t cry?”

12. Both girls and boys experience a lot of emotions
every day:
We feel happy when we achieve something
We feel sad when we lose a person we love
We feel depressed if our relationships don’t work
So why don’t boys have the right to express those
emotions and share them with others?
We feel touched by a song or movie

13. Can we ignore those prejudices?
It’s not that simple.
When we’re very young we learn to be girls and
boys, and to behave according to our sex.
And we incorporate those stereotypes as a
natural thing.

14. A clear example is the type of toys for boys and girls.
For girls, dolls (which act as children), baby carts and
objects for the house
For boys, cars, race tracks, balls and tool sets
And the types of games…
Calm games for girls, and games with a lot of movements for boys.

15. We incorporate these ideas which determine our
gender. And we don’t realise they are learnt
attitudes. We believe they’re natural and we are
convinced that this is how we are supposed to be.
And if we don’t follow these stereotypes, we feel
we’re strange or wrong.
Imagine that a boy doesn’t like footbal and prefers reading,
but his friends mock at him because of this. So he does
things he doesn’t like to fit in.
That situation is totally wrong.

16. Don’t forget!
There isn’t only one way to be a woman and one
way to be a man.
Every person is unique.
We all have different wishes, stories, interests and
needs
And you know what?
That’s AWESOME!