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Gender Boxes exercise originally created by the Oakland Men's Project. 1. Gender Role Boxes. Presentation and Discussion. This exercise can be a lead-in for ...
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Presentation and Discussion
This exercise can be a lead-in for discussion around multiple issues. The facilitator could concentrate on sexism and its relationship to domestic and sexual violence or use the exercise to look at how sexism, heterosexism and transphobia are related to one another.
Also explain that while we are looking at the dominant mainstream ideas of gender we want to acknowledge that gender roles may vary depending on ethnicity, culture, class, ability and family etc. Let participants know that in this exercise we are going to ask them to say words that are offensive to some people.
Draw two boxes on the board.
"Act Like a Man" Box
1. Ask if anyone has ever been told or heard someone being told to “act like a man”. Write “Act like a man” on top of the first box. Ask “what does it mean to “act like a man” – what are the expectations (which may not be the reality).
Participants can be invited to come to the board and fill in the boxes or you can do it as a brainstorm. Participants can also do the handout as individuals or in pairs/small groups first. Remember that this exercise seeks to look at stereotypes, not at individual behavior.
How are men supposed to be different from women? - stronger, tougher, in control What feelings is a "real man" supposed to have?- anger, superiority, confidence How do "real men" express their feelings?- yelling, fighting, silence How are "real men" supposed to act sexually?- aggressive, dominant, with women
2. What are names applied to persons outside the box? (write these outside the box and around the box) Wimp, fag, queer, pussy, gay Note: These words are important to say and to write down, but ask participants to answer this question calmly and respectfully as possible. 3. What things happen physically to people outside the box? (write these outside the box and around the box) Fights, beat up, harassed, teased, abused, ignored
"Act Like a Lady" Box
1. 1. Ask if anyone has ever been told or heard someone being told to “act like a lady”. Write “Act like a lady” on top of the second box. Ask “what does it mean to “act like a lady” – what are the expectations (which may not be the reality).
Participants can be invited to come to the board and fill in the boxes or you can do it as a brainstorm. Participants can also do the handout as individuals or in pairs/small groups first. Remember that this exercise seeks to look at stereotypes, not at individual behavior.
How are women supposed to be different from men? - nicer, weaker, more gossip What feelings is a "real woman" supposed to have?- fear, sadness, low self-esteem How do "real women" express their feelings?- crying, screaming, hysteria How are "real women" supposed to act sexually?- follow the man, don't sleep around
2. What are names applied to persons outside the box? (write these outside the box and around the box) Dyke, tomboy, slut, ho, whore, lesbian Note: These words are important to say and to write down, but ask particpatns to answer this question calmly and respectfully as possible. 3. What things happen physically to people outside the box? (write these outside the box and around the box) Harassed, abused, ignored, raped, bad reputation
(You could also use some of the questions in the next section)