The participants work in four groups, each analyzing gender roles from different perspectives.
Aims/objectives
- to see different examples how gender is presented
- to reflect upon own experiences
- to report on findings which show examples of generalisation of gender roles
- to see how gender roles are perceived by society
Material needed
- Magazines, newspapers, catalogues etc.
- Internet (optional)
Preparation
Rearrange the tables in the classroom so that the students can work in 4 groups.
Step by step description
- Start with a general discussion on what gender roles are and how they are perceived by our society.
- Split the students into four groups and inform them that each group will work on a specific task.
- Provide each of the four groups with their specific instructions which are described in the annex. Group 1 (School) and group 2 (Friends) receive case studies and are supposed to come up with role plays in the end. Group 3 (Men and Women) and group 4 (Family) will first work with magazines and newspapers before illustrating their findings by living statues (image theatre).
- All groups come back to the plenary and present their work.
Questions for debriefing
- Did you enjoy the activity?
- Were the questions difficult to answer?
- What did you learn about the roles of girls and boys, men and women?
- If you think of one day at school, can you identify signs of how gender is dealt with?
- Does this have any influence on the chances of boys and girls?
Suggestion for variation
Use the internet for research in addition to magazines.
Reference / original source of the method
Katrin Lüth and Tibor Škrabský developed this activity for their workshop „Man, I feel like a Woman“ at the aces Kick-Off Meeting 2009 in St. Virgil (Salzburg), Austria.
Further tips and resources
- Information for teachers on Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed in general and Image Theatre specifically: http://organizingforpower.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/games-theater-of-oppressed.pdf (see Chapter E.: Image Theatre)