Re 5: Empowering the girl-child

From: edequity@phoenix.edc.org
Date: Mon Feb 07 2000 - 17:28:07 EST


I'd add one thought that also stacks up -- girls grow up in a world where
the worst thing a boy can be is like a girl, do girl work, etc. This is as
scary as name calling and as complex as occupational "choice"

So, for example: males may feel they get many messages not to participate
in a traditionally "female" occupation like child care (and this is the
wrong message to give them). And a major part of that message is that this
is "women's work". But girls hear the message too, that this occupation IS
right for them and okay to sacrifice pay/prestige etc. because they are
female. How do women value the work when the message is that it is too
inferior for half the population to be doing. (FOR THE RECORD: I teach
ECE and value it a lot, but see this conflict on a regular basis).
*************************************
Barbara K. O'Donnel
<odonnel@bgnet.bgsu.edu>

301 Johnston Hall
Dept. of FCS
Bowling Green OH 43403-0254
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/FCS/

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