Bias, so prominent in the world, never really seems to show itself in obvious ways. I’m sure I am biased; I have my own personal beliefs, upbringing, culture, philosophies and experiences. How can one go through life without having a biased opinion about even one topic? Unfortunately, as many people have previously discovered, bias is capable of shadowing over all evidence that shows the bias to be false, and what’s worse, bias takes situations that once were equal, and twists the situations in unfair, discriminatory ways. As teachers, we are called to fight that bias, to maintain equal opportunities for and views of all students.
One of these biases that are so prominent in the world of education in particular is the bias between boy and girl …show more content…
Riley (2014) quotes Sanford p. 2 in saying “unexamined stereotypes shape teachers’ expectations of students’ limited opportunities for them to explore and define alternate realities” (p. 2). Studies show that teachers oftentimes view female learners as “more agreeable” and better fit for the work levels required in school, while teachers also regard males as more likely to misbehave (Riley, 2014, p. 3). However, teachers do not always associate females with positive attributions, instead, girls that showed characteristics of bossiness, being loud or over-confidence were thought to be demonstrating negative traits, while boys showing the same characteristics were seen as demonstrating characteristics of strength and leadership (Riley, 2014, p. 3). The problems arise in that these stereotypes, and the many resultant thoughts and decisions are only perpetuating the bias between girls and boys; the same students that are observed through this ‘lens’ of girl/boy bias are treated differently (sometimes unfairly) if they do not satisfy the regular expectations of girl/boy behaviour. As a result, if students wish to be treated “normally” then they must behave according to the given biased …show more content…
7). Bias quickly became evident between teachers. Some students with identical traits and characteristics were placed into different classes based on their one single difference: gender (Riley, 2014, p. 9). How can teachers of all experience levels and classroom types be so similarly impacted by underlying bias? Clearly, analysis of underlying stereotypes is necessary to reduce the impact that these biases might have in the classroom and on students. However, what strikes me and the author as more frightening than the subconscious bias inherent in teachers is this finding from the study: “teachers acknowledged that their observations often vindicated popular stereotypes; however, they were not alarmed (Riley, 2014, p. 9).” As I read, I found my own beliefs about boys and girls matched with the beliefs of the teachers in the study. I have not even entered a classroom as a certified teacher, yet I am already serving to further the perpetuated beliefs, and resulting disadvantages that these stereotypes
One of these biases that are so prominent in the world of education in particular is the bias between boy and girl …show more content…
Riley (2014) quotes Sanford p. 2 in saying “unexamined stereotypes shape teachers’ expectations of students’ limited opportunities for them to explore and define alternate realities” (p. 2). Studies show that teachers oftentimes view female learners as “more agreeable” and better fit for the work levels required in school, while teachers also regard males as more likely to misbehave (Riley, 2014, p. 3). However, teachers do not always associate females with positive attributions, instead, girls that showed characteristics of bossiness, being loud or over-confidence were thought to be demonstrating negative traits, while boys showing the same characteristics were seen as demonstrating characteristics of strength and leadership (Riley, 2014, p. 3). The problems arise in that these stereotypes, and the many resultant thoughts and decisions are only perpetuating the bias between girls and boys; the same students that are observed through this ‘lens’ of girl/boy bias are treated differently (sometimes unfairly) if they do not satisfy the regular expectations of girl/boy behaviour. As a result, if students wish to be treated “normally” then they must behave according to the given biased …show more content…
7). Bias quickly became evident between teachers. Some students with identical traits and characteristics were placed into different classes based on their one single difference: gender (Riley, 2014, p. 9). How can teachers of all experience levels and classroom types be so similarly impacted by underlying bias? Clearly, analysis of underlying stereotypes is necessary to reduce the impact that these biases might have in the classroom and on students. However, what strikes me and the author as more frightening than the subconscious bias inherent in teachers is this finding from the study: “teachers acknowledged that their observations often vindicated popular stereotypes; however, they were not alarmed (Riley, 2014, p. 9).” As I read, I found my own beliefs about boys and girls matched with the beliefs of the teachers in the study. I have not even entered a classroom as a certified teacher, yet I am already serving to further the perpetuated beliefs, and resulting disadvantages that these stereotypes