Gender Stereotypes (B1-B2)
Welcome! In this lesson, you will learn what is a gender stereotype and how to recognize it. Also, together we will have a look at stereotypical portrayal of genders in media, and learn to recognize typical features of sexist advertisement. Let’s get started!
Lesson content:
1. Gender Stereotypes
1.1 Opening Activity
Let’s start with a little warm-up activity!
1.2 Speaking
Now, we want to know your opinion. Answer the questions below orally. You can take some time to think about your answers, and take notes. Try to answer each question with 2-4 sentences. And don’t forget to record the answers!
1.3 Vocabulary I
Time for some vocabulary. Read a following text and try to guess the meaning of the missing words:
1.4 Vocabulary II
Time for some vocabulary. Read a following text and try to guess the meaning of the missing words:
1.5 Listening
Time for listening skills! You will watch a video about gender stereotypes in education. But first, try to answer following questions:
- What do you think that the video is about?
- How can be gender stereotypes applied in education?
Write down your ideas, so you can compare them later.
Now watch the video and indicate whether the statements below are true or false:
2. Gender Representation in the Media
2.1 Beyond language
Media, and especially advertisements, are often using stereotypes to influence people. Look at the ads below, and try to guess what is wrong with them:
2.2 Reading
Read the article and answer the questions below:
The Sexist Piggy – a competition for the most sexist ads in the Czech Republic
The Sexist Piggyis a competition for the most sexist advertisement in the Czech Republic. It has been organized since 2009 by NESEHNUTI, a Czech social and environmental NGO, and member of the Czech Women’s Lobby. The aim of the competition is to point out the excessive use of gender stereotypes and discriminatory presentation of women and men in advertising. The competition includes billboards, as well as printed, online and TV ads. The purpose is not to offend companies using sexist advertisements but rather to show them that sexist advertising is offensive to the public.
In the Czech Republic, the most common example of a sexist advertisement is that of a woman being presented stereotypically. Women are presented either as sex objects, mostly in connection with unrelated products or services (such as cars, computers or construction companies). Very often women are also stereotypically presented as housewives (washing clothes, dishes, cooking) while men are stereotypically presented as mechanics, specialists etc.
The Sexist Piggy predominantly targets individual customers and inspires them to take action against companies using sexist advertising (by boycotting their products/services, contacting them and expressing their disagreement, or filing a complaint to the Czech Advertising Committee).
Studies have shown that media play a key role in the way we perceive male and female roles in society.
The public may nominate the sexist advertisements they have encountered. The winning advertisements are chosen from the nominees by the public and by an expert jury.
Adapted from WomenLobby.org
Writing
