Freedom from discrimination is one of the fundamental human rights necessary for workers to freely choose their place of work, fully develop their potential and receive decent wages. In the field of education, the spread of sexist ideas and views is unacceptable. Teachers have the opportunity to influence this dangerous trend directly. For example, teachers can explain to children why girls and boys are equal in their rights and options. Educators can also suppress inappropriate comments that promote stigma against women, thereby reinforcing the values of equality (Jacobson, 2008, p. 82). They can and should show colleagues positive examples and work concepts concerning gender equality. Global misunderstanding of the idea of feminism and gender equality in education leads to devastating consequences that cannot be allowed.
At the same time, it is essential to understand that the main barriers to women’s career growth are nevertheless connected not with a lack of qualifications. It is primarily due to the internal attitudes of both women themselves and the system. Such biases influence the decisions that leaders make about the promotion of a particular teacher. This is why companies aiming to create a level playing field need to educate executives on what unconscious biases are and how to deal with them. In this fight against sexism, teachers should take an active position. They must speak out about manifestations of discrimination, share experiences with colleagues, and educate students on the importance of not following existing social norms that are harmful to society.
I remember how I heard that girls should not be rude and aggressive many times when I was still a child. The adults insisted that they should be gentle and tolerant and that their primary purpose was to create a family and raise children. At the same time, I saw how my female peers, along with the boys, wanted to speak out and be heard, but their words were often not taken seriously. As I got older, I noticed how girls are told to calm down and behave more modestly. However, I have seen that the same behavior in men is socially acceptable; moreover, such men were called leaders, and they prophesied a successful career.
When I tell my acquaintances that I plan to care for and educate children, I am met with disappointed looks. People underestimate my work and believe that it does not have its difficulties, which is not true. In addition, people begin to talk about the fact that this is purely female work. However, I know that for many of my classmates, the decision was not at all determined by their gender.
I think the story should show how sexism pervades the lives of women, both who have achieved extraordinary heights in politics and ordinary women in more modest positions. The bottom line is that the same experience unites them – they are not taken seriously. Regardless of the job she occupies, every woman is criticized for doing something wrong. She is told that she is overwhelmed by emotions and her actions are not rational, as if men always act unerringly and rightly. That is why the act of a woman voting for another woman is so essential; through it, people with similar problems support each other. I think this understanding of the similarity of women’s experiences was the lesson that Jacobson learned from this story.
Reference
Jacobson, T. (2008). Don’t get so upset! Redleaf Press.