Teaching About Gender in Rural Elementary Classrooms: Investigating the Teacher Perspective

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Affect and Identities in Social Studies Education

Abstract

This study investigates how rural elementary teachers currently teach about gender, gender roles and norms, contributions of men and women, and gender roles in the future. Gender stereotypes develop in early in childhood, and these stereotypes are often reinforced and strengthened throughout elementary education. This may be especially true in rural schools, where studies indicate access to social education tends to be limited. This study seeks to teacher practice related to gender across two second-grade and two third-grade classrooms in a rural Midwestern district in order to understand current context and how to challenge stereotypical gender roles and norms in elementary social studies and literacy education. This study has implications for curriculum policy and pre-service and in-service teacher education.

Author

• Alyssa Whitford, Michigan State University