The focus of the Gender Stereotypes Module is to help increase awareness around how gender stereotypes contribute to gender-based and dating violence. Adhering to restrictive gender stereotypes can lead to unfair expectations in relationships. Gender stereotypes also prevent individuals from freely expressing who they are and how they choose to identify along the gender spectrum. In this module, youth will learn about how gender stereotypes negatively impact their sense of self and self-esteem as well as contribute to unhealthy relationships and gender-based/dating violence.
Big Messages:
- Gender is a continuum and everyone has the right to choose where they are on it
- Gender stereotypes are restrictive and lead to unfair expectations in relationships
- Gender stereotypes negatively impact sense of self and self-esteem
Learning Goals:
Increase awareness to gender stereotypes that can contribute to developing unhealthy relationships
- Increase awareness of the impact of gender stereotypes upon relationships
- Increase awareness of the impact of gender stereotypes upon communication
- Increase awareness of the impact of gender stereotypes upon self-esteem
What The Evidence Says
In adolescent heterosexual dating relationships, researchers found that adhering to traditional gender roles was associated with dating violence (Feder, et al., 2007; Valls, et al., 2008). Specifically, researchers found that beliefs around the acceptance of violence against women and support for male dominance was associated with aggression in dating violence (Murnen, et al., 2002; Russell & Trigg, 2004; Ward & Aubrey, 2017). Caldwell and colleagues (2012) argue that although gender matters, the core issue is about the imbalance of power that gender inequities create – that is, society gives more power to males, which serves to disempower females and place them at greater risk for violence. When examining the influence of gender stereotypes and gender roles on dating violence, healthy and unhealthy power dynamics must also be addressed.
It is also critical to acknowledge that gender and dating violence affects all individuals across the gender spectrum (Almeida, et al., 2009; Lombardi, 2002). Gillum (2017) found that among a population of sexual minority youth, there were high rates of dating violence and that experiences of dating violence during adolescence was associated with victimization during one’s college years. Furthermore, Almeida and colleagues (2009) found that youth who identified as LGBT reported generally experiencing more gender-based discrimination and violence. This points to the dire need to include resources about dating and gender-based violence for individuals of all gender identifications and sexual orientations.
Note to Facilitator:
The facilitator has a legal obligation to report suspicions of child abuse to a child protection agency (in the case of Ontario, the Children’s Aid Society (CAS)). Please review over the information provided around disclosure and the reporting process.
Activities
What Is It Like to Be?
Masculinities and Femininities
Gender Stereotypes vs. Gender Norms
The Impact of Gender Stereotypes
VIEW CURRICULUM CHART
References
Almeida, J., Johnson, R.M., Corliss, H.L., Molnar, B.E., & Azrael, D. (2009). Emotional distress among LGBT youth: The influence of perceived discrimination based on sexual orientation. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 1001-1014.
Caldwell, J.E., Swan, S.C., Woodbrown, V.D. (2012). Gender differences in intimate partner violence outcomes. Psychology of Violence, 2, 42-57.
Feder, J., Levant, R.F., & Dean, J. (2007). Boys and violence: A gender-informed analysis. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 38, 385-391.
Gillum, T.L. (2017). Adolescent dating violence experiences among sexual minority youth and implications for subsequent quality. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal, 34, 137-145.
Lombardi, E.L., Wilchins, R.A., Priesing Esq., D., & Malouf, D. (2002). Gender violence. Journal of Homosexuality, 42, 89-101.
Murnen, S.K., Wright, C., & Kaluzny, G. (2002). If “boys will be boys,” then girls will be victims? A meta-analytic review of the research that relates masculine ideology to sexual aggression. Sex Roles, 46, 359-375.
Russell, B.L., & Trigg, K.Y. (2004). Tolerance of sexual harassment: An examination of gender differences, ambivalent sexism, social dominance, and gender roles. Sex Roles, 50, 565-573.
Valls, R., Puigvert, L., & Duque, E. (2008). Gender violence among teenagers: Socialization and prevention. Violence Against Women, 14, 759-785.
Ward, L. M., & Aubrey, J. S. (2017). Watching gender: How stereotypes in movies and on TV impact kids’ development. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense.