Educating in gender equality is one of the great challenges of society. Eliminating gender stereotypes is one of the commitments that is transferred to each of the families, educational centers and other areas of reality. It is clear that inequality between men and women still remains and has negative consequences in personal, family, social, work, etc.
Therefore it is essential to educate on gender equality and for this it is necessary act on awareness and prevention. This effort has to be collective, on the part of families and schools, and as early as possible. Education in gender equality has already been incorporated into the infant and primary stage, it is what has been called coeducation.
Educating in gender equality is coeducation
Educating in gender equality is the way to eradicate situations of discrimination based on sex in the future. And it is important to do it from a very early age, from early childhood education. As children, boys and girls do not have prejudices about people.
La co-education, education in gender equality is, together with interculturality, respect for the environment or the normalization of the foreign language, some of the aspects that have changed the policy and educational strategies so that the new generations are adapted to the changes of the new century.
Teachers are going to be key figures when it comes to implement prevention and awareness of gender equality among students. On the one hand, they are transmitters of values such as respect, tolerance or equality within the classroom, and on the other, the ability to stimulate reflection and criticism about gender discrimination.
Tools of coeducation in the classroom
Today there are many resources and tools for gender equality education in the classroom. But the first thing is have well-trained teachers on gender, and incorporate gender perspectives in the programs, and in the educational content of each specialty.
Some of the tools that can be used in the classroom is the use of books, children's literature, based on equality. These break with the classic schemes of princesses and princes charming. In addition there are coeducational online dictionaries, many guides on the non-sexist use of vocabulary, and methodological proposals on educating in equality, published by different institutions and organizations that offer a series of support materials.
Beyond the use of help tools, it is necessary to implement equal participation strategies in the center between women and men, assignment of responsibilities, avoid classifying or dividing students by their gender, promoting neutral games and / or toys that promote cooperation. All this has no results without the collaboration of families.
Educate on gender equality at home
Education is understood as a comprehensive plan in which the family is as active as the classroom. Fathers and mothers should promote the values of equality and respect at home. To do this, you have to pay attention to gestures, forms of expression and attitudes. You must take care of the language, avoid sexist comments and gender stereotypes. Sometimes micromachisms are so internalized that they are difficult to identify.
In the family they must promote positive values based on non-discrimination, be equitable in the distribution of domestic tasks, corresponding to the age and maturity of the boys and girls, regardless of their sex. We must eliminate or avoid sexist prejudices we have on toys, clothes or different objects.
It is important offer inclusive leisure activities, the little ones should have the opportunity to know all the sports, and participate in the activities that they like, without being conditioned by their sex. Finally, let us bear in mind that there are different types of family, single parent, heterosexual, adoptive ... and that ours is one of them.