Recently, at work, I've noticed the boys, 3rd to 5th graders have been feeling their oats. I'm fine with that and I, more than most, understand there's a real difference between boys being boys and abuse. When they are alone, playing sports such as basketball, dodge ball or four square, that they are "playing with our balls." It was funny the first time, but in day 100, it's wearing thin. What I do not like, is when they make these jokes and any other innuendo around the younger boys or the girls; including staff.
This is where the question in my title comes from. Aside from this, I see them asking questions, making comments, disobeying or ignoring the female staff, much more so than they do the male staff. I should point out that while dealing with kids, over two decades, I don't use a whistle and I have yelled, maybe three or four times, ever. It's just not how I teach. The last few days, the disrespect for the female staff has increased and I've tried to nip it in the bud, but I'm hesitant. Here is why. I myself try very hard not to comment about anything at work that could be construed as sexist. I work with young, fit and to be quite honest, some beautiful young women, but I never do anything to convey that, because firstly, they are my coworkers, but also, I truly respect the job they do, especially one of them. She happens to be the youngest, but she's also the most hard-working and efficient person there. I definitely don't look at her as an equal, but above me, despite us technically having the same status.
So am I wrong to "stick up" for my female coworkers, by defending them, but also demanding that the young boys specifically treat them better? I feel, in this day and age, my singling out them as being mistreated demeans them slightly, because if the children's actions bothered them, they could discipline them themselves. Or, as I hope is correct, I am simply trying to reverse some cultural and societal norms, ones these kids may be learning at home, in school, or on teams or groups, that many adults, both male and female, are ingraining in them?
I fear I've been too wordy, too unclear and made a simple question into a more complex situation, but while I have no regrets from a teaching standpoint, I do find myself questioning whether or not, in my desire for equality, I myself acted in a sexist fashion.
This is where the question in my title comes from. Aside from this, I see them asking questions, making comments, disobeying or ignoring the female staff, much more so than they do the male staff. I should point out that while dealing with kids, over two decades, I don't use a whistle and I have yelled, maybe three or four times, ever. It's just not how I teach. The last few days, the disrespect for the female staff has increased and I've tried to nip it in the bud, but I'm hesitant. Here is why. I myself try very hard not to comment about anything at work that could be construed as sexist. I work with young, fit and to be quite honest, some beautiful young women, but I never do anything to convey that, because firstly, they are my coworkers, but also, I truly respect the job they do, especially one of them. She happens to be the youngest, but she's also the most hard-working and efficient person there. I definitely don't look at her as an equal, but above me, despite us technically having the same status.
So am I wrong to "stick up" for my female coworkers, by defending them, but also demanding that the young boys specifically treat them better? I feel, in this day and age, my singling out them as being mistreated demeans them slightly, because if the children's actions bothered them, they could discipline them themselves. Or, as I hope is correct, I am simply trying to reverse some cultural and societal norms, ones these kids may be learning at home, in school, or on teams or groups, that many adults, both male and female, are ingraining in them?
I fear I've been too wordy, too unclear and made a simple question into a more complex situation, but while I have no regrets from a teaching standpoint, I do find myself questioning whether or not, in my desire for equality, I myself acted in a sexist fashion.
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