Gender in education

 Gender in education is kindly underrated to talk about today as a social issue but it is still considered something important though. 

More females became teachers because of their patience with pupils. They are supposed to have a degree in education in order to get a teachers licence and so far and so forth. Females understand students better than males because of their kindness and warthmess,so they express themselves better at their subjects. On the other hand,we have males which don't like being teachers at all(rare cases) so their impatience and misunderstandings with students is obvious in the class.

The number of males that work in education 

should be raised more in order to have more educated kids,more freedom in lessons. 

Prepare a written reflection (500–700 words) illustrating 3–5 real-life examples that show how gender and language interact in educational contexts.

     I believe that schools are not only places to learn subjects but also places where we learn how to behave and understand ourselves. One of the strongest ways this happens is through language. The way teachers and students speak to each other often shows and shapes gender roles. I have noticed that sometimes language keeps old gender ideas alive, but it can also be used to change them. Here are some examples from real life, media, and my own experience that show how gender and language interact in education.

    The first example , speaking in class. In high school class boys talked much more than girls. They answered questions quickly, interrupted each other, and spoke loudly. When boys take more speaking space, and girls stay quiet, it repeats the idea that men are more confident and women are more silent. The teacher’s silence allows this inequality to continue. When i was in high school the vice principal asked the 'girls' in my class to clean the classroom but not only that ,she said that after the classroom we have to clean the entire school. When we said -"What about boys, they will not clean? And the lady's cleaners ?" , but she ignored us and said that boys don't know how to clean and they are tired of the classes they 'attended' , and that we are young so we will finish sooner . Didn't we attended the same classes? Are we not tired either? After we finished she said we need to clean the bathrooms , the girls and the boys...      They don't have hands? If they mothers didn't teach them then you should. Its not our job.

     The second example for school rules and behaviour. In many schools, I have heard teachers tell girls to “sit properly,” “be polite,” or “don’t talk too much,” while boys were allowed to move and speak ffreely.  Boys can come late to class but girls can't? Boys can curse at others when they made them angry but girls can't?  These are not official school rules, but they happen every day in class. Teachers teach that girls should be calm and modest, while boys can be active and loud. I think these messages make students feel limited in how they can express themselves.

    The third example is the film "Matilda the Musical" tells the story of a young girl named Matilda Wormwood who is very intelligent and loves to read, but her parents do not value her education. They think girls should not be “too clever” and prefer her to watch television.At home, Matilda’s father speaks to her with disrespect and often calls her names like “stupid”. He believes that only boys can be smart and successful. Matilda learns that society expects girls to be quiet and unimportant, while boys are encouraged to be confident and strong. The language her father uses shows how girls intelligence is often ignored or undervalued. Girls like Matilda are often silenced or punished for using their voices, while boys are expected to be louder and more active.

In conclusion ,through these examples, I have learned that language has a big impact on how gender is performed and understood in schools. Words can include or exclude, encourage or silence. I believe teachers and students should be more aware of how they speak and listen to each other. When everyone has an equal voice, the classroom becomes a place where both girls and boys can learn, grow, and express themselves freely.

Worked by Xhoeda

Roles of social behavior in its own contexts

 As far as I have learned,social behavior from the spectrum is viewed as a bad example of us in our own society, especially in the 2020s when people are becoming much worse now,teens kill each other for a bully a friend says to another or 9-year old girls wear crop-tops because they want to feel too grown up for their age (despite their limits).

Boys in my high school were more talkative than girls, especially in math lessons with our math teacher. They expressed their opinions vividly than we did,since we didn't express our opinions in class despite how quiet,mature or educated we were. So we had to be more distant(we were kids so we wanted emotional validation from the teachers). 

I also want to talk about the Martin Cani,who was killed with a knife by his classmate only because he said a "random kiddy joke"(he was only fourteen). I think this is the worst example not only for boys around that age but also for boys that are older than them in this case. 

For girls, I think it is Hatixhe Brika. She is a very famous influencer who only posts about her luxurious things her boyfriend buys,her expensive cars, or her expensive hijabs. I'm not against being rich or having a lot of money but girls around their early twenties are not supposed to pursue their career on TikTok videos but on college path since they need basic knowledge about the degree they study about.

Girls around my age, unfortunately also do plastic surgery(face,lips,body or eyes). They get influenced by Alabama Barker,Kylie Jenner or Kim Kardashian. Even if you are ugly,be proud to be like that or at least wear full makeup to cover your insecurity. You're supposed to save your earnings or your parents ones,not making it much worse. Middle school girls dye their eyebrows,put fake eyelashes on their eyelashes or do 5 kg makeup. 

Prepare a written reflection (500–700 words) illustrating 3–5 real-life examples that show how gender and language interact in educational contexts.

The way how gender and language interact in educational contexts is influenced by the way how the teacher speaks to male and female students. Many researchers show that male students are asked more by the teachers than female students. 

Also the first example in my personal experience is the way how teachers interact with male students and language they use is assertive while female students receive a more passive language.This distinction in how language is used may have long term effects on confidence of the students when gender expectations define the role students can take on. 

Furthermore another example is in the textbooks students often encounter language that centers around men's contributions to society while women's achievements are downplayed. This kind of language shapes the students' perceptions of gender roles. 

Finally social media platforms, especially those aimed at younger audiences, often reinforce gender stereotypes through the content shared by influencers or educational figures. As a result these gendered language choices on social media force traditional gender roles. 

Worked by Stiv 

Essay

 Worked by Sada

Prepare a written reflection (500–700 words) illustrating 3–5 real-life examples that show how gender and language interact in educational contexts.

   When I first started this course I didnt really give a thought to how language had such dimension.Now I am starting to learn that language has its ways of interpreting and receiving.Messages about gender are communicated not through what teachers say but how they say it and how students are encouraged to use language themselves not only in class but in other environments too.Both real experiences and media examples are in use of understanding how teachers feedback,classroom talk or even online representations of teaching play a part in shaping how gender is portrayed in education.

    The first example I can think of are my highschool years related to classroom talk where boys were much more tolerated than girls.Teachers and principals didnt really mind them coming late to class,being noisy,a distraction to others etc.I remember it wasnt that big of a deal when a boy had bad grades whereas a girl was criticized more.Bathroom allowance was a big deal in my highschool.Girls would often get shouted at for being in bathrooms especially during the lesson because they were presumably putting on make up and gossiping.On the other hand boys were also somehow allowed to leave the lesson and fool around.This type of example refers to the “hidden curriculum “,where teachers often,even instinctively devide genders.

    The second example is about one specific female teacher,who would have a close “relationship “ with a male student.This is related to teachers feedback and I will explain why it had an impact to the other students too.Even though this boy was completely passive and uninterested in the subject this teacher often approached him with politeness,care and respect.She would often have a conversation with him in the middle of the class,leaving us and the lesson behind.I remember she even expressed interest in his wellbeing whereas for the other students, nothing of this sort.The boy received no type of criticism for his behavior and everything else was expected from us.

   The third and last example is about the portrait of the teacher figure mirrored in media.On Tik Tok,a well known and used social platform consisting of short videos,the portraits of a male and female teacher differ from one another.I have noticed that female teachers when presenting themselves or being imitated often appear as calm,warm,mainly stylish giving a special attention to the outfit,make up and hairstyles.On the other hand male teachers are shown as laid back,cool and funny.We define gender through repeated actions,language and this is an example of gender expectations.

   In conclusion reflecting in these examples has made me more aware of how language can be used to shape how gender is experienced in schools.Whether its who gets to speak,who is valued more or how teacher portraits are seen online language is a key factor.I hope that in the future language is used for a better communication between people.Where everyone feels seen,respected,valued and free.

   

    

 

Honestly this picture really got to me when I first saw it. It’s called “Victim of Beauty” and it mixes beauty with pain in a really uncomfortable way. The woman in the photo has a black eye but she’s still wearing red lipstick, her hair is perfect, and she’s dressed up nicely. It feels like her pain is being shown as something beautiful instead of something sad or serious. That’s what makes the image so wrong, it turns her into an object not a person. It’s like saying that even when a woman is hurt, she still has to look good. To me, this picture shows how society often cares more about how women look than about what they go through and honestly that's a huge disrespect to women who are actually suffering from violence.

Worked by:Siri

Assignment: Gender and Language Use in Education

 

Education is one of the main institutions through which social and cultural patterns, including gender roles, are reproduced. Inside classrooms, gender identities are shaped and reinforced daily through both formal and informal interactions. Teachers and students participate in the process of “gendering” through language, in who speaks, who is heard, who is interrupted, and how silence or participation is valued.

Key theoretical ideas from this topic include:

·         Gender and achievement

·         The hidden curriculum

·         The teacher as gender coach

·         Classrooms as gender stages

·         Linguistic space (speech, silence, and participation patterns)

·         Gender performance and social reproduction

Studies (Mahony, 1985; Jule, 2004, 2005) show that boys often dominate both the verbal and physical classroom space, while girls’ silence is frequently misinterpreted or undervalued. Teachers may unintentionally reinforce these patterns through language and attention, even when they believe they treat all students equally.

Your Task:
Prepare a written reflection (500–700 words) illustrating 3–5 real-life examples that show how gender and language interact in educational contexts.

Your examples may come from:

Real or observed classroom situations

Media representations of teachers and students (TV shows, films, ads, social media, etc.)

News stories or public discussions about education and gender

Personal experiences or interviews

For each example, explain:

1.       What happens in the example (describe briefly).

2.       Which concept from the theory it illustrates (e.g., linguistic space, hidden curriculum).

3.       How it reflects or challenges gender norms, identities, or inequalities in education.

Evaluation Criteria:

·         Strong and clear connection between theory and example

·         Insightful reflection and analysis

·         Appropriate use of key terms and theoretical ideas

·         Creativity and relevance of examples

·         Clarity, structure, and engagement in your presentation or writing

Optional Reflection: Think about your own schooling: have you observed moments when language shaped how gender was performed or valued in the classroom?

 

Objectification and sexualization of women in advertising

 

Advertising is a powerful tool used to shape societal perceptions.It often helps in reducing women to objects of attraction rather than portraying them as complex individuals. Most advertisements use the body of a woman either to bring attention or to sell products.Such action creates unattainable beauty standards and further solidifies the notion that a woman's self-worth comes from her appearance.This gradually normalizes objectification and contributes to gender inequity within media.

This image illustrates a clear gender bias in advertising,particularly in how men and women are portrayed in either sports or lifestyle marketing.On the left, the men's section shows an active,dynamic scene of a surfer performing a high jump, emphasizing skill, strength and adventure.On the contrary, the women's version displays a woman passively lying on the beach in a bikini,fully concentrating on the appearance of her body rather than any athletic ability or action.

This visual contrast reinforces traditional gender stereotypes: men as active participants and women as decorative objects.While celebrating the talent of the male athlete, the ad sexualizes the female model,diminishing women's roles in such contexts to merely looking good.It reflects a bigger problem in media where women's value is often determined by how they look, while men are defined by what they can do.

Isra Musabelli 

 In the coffee shop I always go to, I saw a woman drinking coffee in the advertisement, which is not at all a coincidence, because it has clear psychological and commercial purposes. The image of a woman drinking coffee is associated with moments of relaxation, personal satisfaction and self-care. The image of a woman is seen as a symbol of elegance, softness and refined taste, and this shows that the product she is trying is sophisticated and classy. Viewers are emotionally reactivated by the warmth and aesthetics of the image.

The image shows an advertisement for a billiard hall that includes symbols representing various games like foosball, air hockey, and ping pong. However, what immediately stands out is the silhouette of a woman posed provocatively while holding a cue stick. This design choice introduces a clear sexualisation of the female figure, especially when compared to the other neutral, active male figures depicted in the same image. The woman’s exaggerated pose and high heels are unrelated to the context of billiards, reinforcing a stereotype that female presence exists primarily for visual or sexual appeal rather than participation. Such imagery reflects a broader issue in advertising where women are objectified to attract male customers, even in settings unrelated to gender or sexuality.From a sociocultural perspective, this sign reflects the normalization of linking femininity with eroticism, while masculinity is linked with activity and competition. The result is a visual message that subtly excludes women as players and repositions them as part of the entertainment. This small yet telling example highlights how gendered visual codes persist in everyday public spaces, shaping perceptions of gender roles and belonging.

How the media uses women for advertisements and marketing

 - To start off with the basic idea, women are often sexualized during ads and used for such things. An example is the image below I've placed.

- It's clearly noticeable how the hands are of a woman and the burgers show off the idea of her chest. As obvious as it is, this is literally the oversexualization of women and their chest specifically. Even worse is the fact that, that organ is to feed babies and not to be sexualized in this way. The caption of the photo also saying "We're about to reveal something you'll really drool over." And I'm sure it doesn't only make me uncomfortable, but maybe even for others. 

- Till' these days that we live in, it probably has gotten less but it still does happen. The woman anatomy is nothing to be sexualized on such intense degree, they get shamed for something natural too such as breasts. Let women live and be comfortable with their own body.

-Bleona Dragoti

Marilyn Monroe poster

Marilyn Monroe,a famous singer in USA during the 50s and 60s was considered one of the iconic and sexiest celebrities during the 20th century. 

She is sexualized a lot from a very young age because of her blonde hair,mesmerizing makeup and her beautiful spot on her face and also her main reason which is the fact that she was provocative because of her charisma in interviews,music videos,movies and other aspects of her career. Her long pink dress which influenced Madonna in her music video "Vogue" or satin dress which she influenced Kim Kardashian....so her wardrobe is every girl's dream even now in 2025!

She is also considered one of the most influenced celebrities in USA during the 21st century. Not only in USA,but also all of the other countries all across the globe. She is still talked a lot in news,magazines, podcasts and songs. She influenced celebrities such as the Kardashians,Kylie Jenner, Beyoncé,Ariana Grande,Shakira surpassing all of them.

A lot of female celebs get sexualized due to their beauty,body,facial features or facial expressions which happens nowadays unfortunately. Females need to feel comfortable with themselves,not showing their body because the public wants everytime when they release new songs or new projects, especially in the music industry in this case.

Student:Klea Kavaja

 

kleaaaa- Power on+poetry about feminism

 1) A beautiful girl with red hair and orange dress is described as sad since she is abused. Wounds appear all across her body and her hair. She has physical trauma because her wounds hurt so much that she feels ashamed to be a girl. Her tears appear on the drawing to describe her emotional breakdown since she suffers from that moment from depressive and suicidal thoughts. She wears a crown in her head which is titled "power on" which symbolizes that she will get through this despite the fact that she got abused by random men. She becomes happier after consulting with a psychologist and forgets all of her pain inside.

2)A random girl appears walking on the streets abused and out of control. She cries heavily but not in front of the other people of the street so that she will suffer her pain alone(without anyone supporting her). The poetry which says:

Tired and lost wherever you are

Your tears that fall like heavy rain

Remember that dear girl, wherever you are

A new day is coming for you------which makes the girl happier and focused on her own happy life after that.

Find advertisements that show sexualization and objectification of a female body.

 

In this ad, the woman is shown mainly for her beauty and appearance. Her exposed neck and shoulder show a stereotype that women are objects to look at. The ad suggests that being attractive is very important for women. 

https://share.google/NHKmz5ZkkPDzsRgvP

This ad shows objectification because it focuses on the woman’s body. It makes her look like an object to sell beer. The ad suggests that women are valued mainly for their looks. I feel this is unfair. It tells society that women must look a certain way to be important.

Worked by Xhoeda

Advertisements that show elements of sexualization and objectification of female body.

 This is a store advertisement for women's underwear. It shows a model wearing lingerie to promote the brand. It does involve a degree of sexualization because the focus is on her body shape and provocative pose ,a common marketing taactic to attract attention. This sexual appeal used to sell is a classic example of both sexualization and objectification of female body. 

This photo was taken in a café where I often sit to have a coffee. I have always been asking myself by the use of such images, as in this case, of a woman who has no connection at all with the services or products offered in that place.The girl,dressed in a non-provocative dress, still expresses sensuality through her pose, with one sleeve of the dress lowered. She is not advertising any product, but rather is used as an advertisement herself ,as a decorative object.  Through the sensuality that this portrait conveys the business wants to promote  a cozy,warm and romantic place.

These advertisements can be related with different gender stereotypes .

First, women are valued only for their beauty and they exist to be desired. 

Second,they can show beauty standards ,how perfection is represented. 

Worked by Fjona 🫶

Find advertisements that include the objectivism and sexualism of female bodies

 

In this poster we see how products of meat are advertised including a female standing there,looking happy to serve what she’s offering.Then we see her outfit not typically of a cooker but with a opened cleavage.I dont see why it is necessary to include these two images together.

https://youtu.be/zMW2Dywc_t8?si=mA5112435p8g4bm4

This video is a clear reference of our topic.It is not current but it came to my mind.Instead of being concentrated in the news theres a clear objectifying of the female body.I dont know what to say about this honestly,the video speaks for itself.

Worked by Sada

Photo Essay Assignment: Advertising and Gender

 Choose one advertisement that shows how women or men are represented in the media. The ad can be from a magazine, TV, or online source. 

Your post should include (3 Parts): 

1. 📸 The Image: Show or describe one ad that reflects gender stereotypes or objectification. 

2, 📝 Caption (3–4 sentences) What do we see in the ad? How does it show discrimination or unrealistic gender roles? Why is this message important? 

3. 💬 Short Analysis (1 page) Connect the image to one concept (e.g., objectification, male gaze, consumer femininity). Explain what the ad suggests about gender and power. Reflect on how you feel about it and what it says about society.

  

The dangerous ways ads see women Jean Kilbourne | TEDxLafayetteCollege

 Pioneering activist and cultural theorist Jean Kilbourne has been studying the image of women in advertising for over 40 years. In this rapid-fire, passionate, and highly entertaining talk, she discusses the experiences that inspired her to create this new field and vividly illustrates how these images affect us all. You'll never look at an ad in the same way again. The dangerous ways ads see women | Jean Kilbourne | TEDxLafayetteCollege

If searching for gender differences presupposes that there are differences, what else can be said about the relationship of gender and language use? Why study the relationship at all? What use is it ?

Studying gender and language use helps us understand how social identity influences communication.
Language reflects cultural norms and power relations between men and women.
Men and women may use language differently to express identity or build relationships.
These differences can reveal social expectations and stereotypes.
Research can show whether such differences are natural or socially constructed.
It also helps identify inequality in communication, such as who talks more or interrupts more.
Understanding this can improve gender equality and mutual understanding.
It can help teachers, employers, and media use language more fairly.
Studying this topic deepens our knowledge of how language shapes society.
In short, it connects language, culture, and social behavior.

Why is it important to recognize the history of feminism?Does it matter that each generation has its own particular issues to explore?

    Feminism is about equality in life, work and politics for everyone no matter their gender. Fun fact, a long time ago in some societies women actually had a lot of power. They led communities, made big decisions and controlled resources but over time things changed. Men took over leadership and women's rights were pushed aside. This didn’t happen because women were incapable,it happened because societies started valuing physical strength, control over land and leadership roles which men often held. At the same time,cultural and religious rules taught that women should stay at home and "know their place." Knowing this history is so important because it shows that inequality isn’t natural,it was created. It also helps us understand how to fight for equality today.

    Every generation has its own problems. Back then women fought for the right to vote, to go to school and to work. Even if the word “feminist” didn’t exist, there were countless women who were feminists.They challenged injustice, demanded rights and refused to accept being treated as less. This shows that feminism isn’t something you learn. In a way, you’re born a feminist if you believe in equality. Now we’re dealing with issues like unequal pay, racial injustice, gender-based violence, online harassment,lack of education, human trafficking and threats to reproductive rights. These are the real issues we need to focus on.

    And honestly, I don’t get it why some people still think feminism is about hating men. That’s just crazy. Some girls are even scared to call themselves feminists because of this. But listen girls, we should be proud. I’m proud to be a feminist. We want equality, that’s it. If women had stayed in power throughout history, the world would have been so much better. Men might feel threatened because women were expected to do less for so long, but imagine if women back then had continued to lead. Things today would look completely different. Feminism isn’t about fighting men. It’s about making the world fairer for all of us.

Worked by:Siri