This document discusses various types of stereotypes that exist in schools, including religious, social, gender, and racial stereotypes. It provides examples of how students from different religious or ethnic backgrounds may face discrimination in schools through things like mandatory prayer services or the focus of religious education classes only being on Christianity. It also describes common social stereotypes students face like "nerds" or "divas." The document advocates for addressing stereotypes through education programs that promote diversity, equality, and understanding between all students.

1. Stereotypes at School
Addressing and Solving

2. Religious Stereotypes
No one can dispute that the views of modern society are dependent on traditional
perceptions resulting in the existence of stereotypes. Even in the religious field
there are several prejudices already since ancient times. Indeed, many people
criticize religions according to the stereotypes they have adopted from their
society. This discrimination can easily lead to religious racism. Unfortunately, this
phenomenon occurs in every school that is multicultural.

3. Religious Stereotypes in Our School
As a school, we do not have many non orthodox students. The problem is that
they often become the centre of attention, just because they believe in a different
religion.
Due to religious discrimination, life in school for those students can be very
stressful as they get many racist comments and they may not be accepted by the
majority.

4. A problem that students of different religion face in our school (as well as in every
other greek school) is the lesson of religious education. This lesson mainly
focuses on the Orthodox Christian faith, which leads to these students’ feeling
unwanted by the class and the teacher, as their religion does not get that much
attention in the lesson.
The easiest solution to the specific problem is for the student to be excused from
the course. Nevertheless, the best possible solution would be to change the
mentality of the course in such a way that it becomes friendly to all existing
religions of our world and is not centered on Christianity.

5. However, another problem that non Orthodox students face in our school is the
prayer that every school does, on a daily basis, a couple of minutes before the
beginning of the lessons. This happens in the yard and heathens that do not want
to attend it usually stay in class. This is, unfortunately, the only solution given to
the problem.

6. Social Stereotypes
The natural cognitive process by which people categorize, ‘label’ or disapprove of
individuals,based on the social class, economic situation, political or other beliefs,
ethical code or personal opinions and ideals is called social discrimination.
In our school, discriminations based on the economic or social situation almost do
not exist, because the majority of the students come from middle-income families.
Nonetheless, as the adolescents in many schools
do, we tend to categorise people in certain groups
and identify them with certain characteristics or
habits. These discriminations are ‘inspired’ by the
appearance or the social behaviour someone has
at school.

7. Social Stereotypes In Our School
Some of the most common stereotypical categories that some individuals are
included, according to the general opinion of their classmates are the following.
Initially, the students having the highest grades, studying very much and wearing
boring-according to their classmates- clothes are called nerds. They considered to
be distanced and serious , not cool or famous.

8. Secondly, the students dressed very well,
having their hair or make-up cared are named
divas/deus or models. They are said to be
arrogant, mean, narcissique and very popular
In the end, teenagers having extreme looks, like
tattoos,piercings or dyed hair may be named as
freaks. Not only their classmates, but also their
teachers are biased that they are problematic,
not normal or not respectful people.

9. Educational programs including travelling and meeting new and different people
and studying of sciences like psychology, philosophy or literature may broaden the
horizons of students and help them comprehend deeply the psychism, the
different aspects of human personality and become more familiar with the meaning
of words like liberty, rights or self determining.

10. Gender Stereotypes
In our time, even if women have made significant progress regarding gender
equality, there are still deep-rooted stereotypes in our society, which prevent the
achievement of this goal
So since school is a miniature of society, we, as students, are called upon to point
out gender biases, limit them and not reproduce them in the future.

11. Gender Stereotypes in Our School
Unfortunately, gender-stereotypes related incidents happen everywhere, including
our school. Although, it’s not a very common situation to experience, we have
witness incidents where gender stereotypes were used in order to insult the
opposite gender. Those situations are limited down to strength-emotions related
stereotypes and dress code related stereotypes.

12. Dress Code
Written or not, dress code is an institution that worsens the gap between the 2
genders. Specifically:
Girls are supposed to dress modestly, covering their legs, shoulders, stomach and
cleavage. If not, they are considered to be searching attention, especially from boys.
Adding to that, for some people the worth of women depends on their clothes,
something that is extremely unfair and biased.
Women, most of the time, do not dress for other people. They dress for themselves, to
feel good and express their feelings through their choice of style. Do not enforce dress
code as something effective, when not only does it humiliate the females but also
promotes deep gender stereotypes.

13. However, dress code is not applied on males. Boys can wear everything they
want, without being criticised or punished. Even if topless, their bodies are not as
“scandalous” as women’s
The only exception is in case boys intend to dress more feminine. Even if adding
jewellery, they may be harshly criticized and castigated by teachers.

14. Stereotypes related to sports
Have you ever heard in P.E classes:
“Alright, now boys can play soccer or basketball and girls try playing volleyball, or
slow jogging”
What if a girl is pretty good at basketball or a boy wants to play volleyball?
Sports should not be categorized by gender, especially at school that is supposed
to promote gender equality and reduce any gender stereotype.
Every sport is for everyone and every child should be able to choose without being
afraid of being criticised.

15. Boys And Girls: Strength And Emotions
“Let’s get a boy to help us with the desks”
Boys are thought to be stronger?
Girls can ALSO be strong
Some boys can ALSO be weaker
“The movie is touching, so please girls don’t cry”
Girls are more emotional?
Not every girl is emotional. The strength a girl
can hide is enormous
Oh don’t be a girl! Be a man, men don’t cry Men have feelings too. Crying does not make
you weak or less masculine. It makes you
capable of expressing your feelings
Boys are never quiet, always disturbing the class Boys can also pay attention and be quiet
Girls are always gossiping Boys also gossip, sometimes even more than
girls
Oh, girls are silly. Only for family and chores.
Careers are for men
Careers are for everyone capable of it! And
family and chores are for men too!

16. Gender stereotypes are one of the oldest forms of stereotypes. During the years
we fight it and we can admit that progress has been made. However, we still have
a long way to go to end this unpleasant situation. Educational programs like the
one we participate, really make a difference and contribute to this long fight.
Conclusion

17. Racial stereotypes in our school
Until two years ago, our school accepted in its classes
students of other nationalities, who were integrated and
there was a climate of friendship and cooperation with all
students. In recent years it has been transformed into a
Standard with strict examinations for the admission of
students and this excludes people who do not know the
Greek language well from being admitted.
That's why we dont have many non-greek students.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that racial
discrimination exist at schools and should be handled

18. Solution To Stereotypical Thinking
This issue has to be addressed and every student should be free to express themselve
not considering how other people think about them.
Society, school and family have to impart to young people significant values like
empathy, solidarity and respect to the personality and rights of other people.

19. To sum up, Stereotypical Thinking is Deeply Rooted at schools.
We, as today's students and tomorrow's society, should not
reproduce prejudices. Instead, we should raise awareness and
build a world based on equality and diversity, for a better future.

20. Thank You For Your Attention!
Christos Kokkinis, Giannis Baltogiannis, Olga Rapti, Elena Ntinou, Rania Panelou, Lamprini Ntovoni, Dimitris
Machairas, Kostas Balomenos, Mrs. Kyriakou Foteini, Mrs. Koulouri Chrysoula, Mr. Antoniou Konstantinos