Laptops

Stereotypes Hinder Societal Progress

In the midst of Target’s new policy of not labelling children’s products by gender, the question arises as to whether or not traditional standards for gender are helpful or harmful.

THIS EDITORIAL REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF THE LE JOURNAL STAFF. TWENTY-THREE OUT OF 23 VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW.

Sigmund Freud once stated that the true decider when it comes to a person’s gender identity is biology. That was in 1924. It’s been 91 years and this traditional belief still holds true for many people. Men and women’s lives are still controlled by the gender they are born into.

In response to customer feedback, Target recently announced that they would largely reduce the number of gender-based signs in their stores.

This means that signs will no longer offer suggestions based off the child’s gender. And the use of colors, like pink and blue to designate girls and boys toys, will be replaced by gender neutral colors such as green and yellow, according to Business Insider.

Even if society has progressed since Freud first made his presumptions, the modern world is still controlled by gender stereotypes.

Why is it that if a woman is assertive as a leader, she is labeled as bossy? Why is nursing considered a woman’s profession? Why are women supposed to be petite and graceful while men should be strong and broad-shouldered?

According to the United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, gender stereotyping refers to “the practice of ascribing to an individual woman or man specific attributes, characteristics, or roles by reason only of her or his membership in the social group of women or men.” This can have a negative impact on society, an impact that is especially negative for women.

The brain is hardwired to make snap judgements based on race, gender and age, according to the American Association of University Women. The problem arises when people apply those judgements beyond a quick second or two. That’s when a stereotype becomes a bias, or a belief that a stereotype is true.

Researcher Maria do Mar Pereira, the director

The problem with biases is that they infiltrate a culture that bombards young women.

for the University of Warwick’s Center for the Study of Women and Gender, studied how gender biases affect the everyday lives of teenagers in Lisbon, Portugal. In her research she discovered that girls often avoided physical activity at school, even if they enjoyed sports, because they assumed it wasn’t feminine, were afraid to look unattractive while running or were ridiculed by the boys for “not being good enough,” according to thinkprogress. org.

Pereira also found that girls were limiting their food intake or putting themselves on diets, even if they were within a healthy weight because, according to thinkprogress.org, they believed that “desirable women” have to be skinny. Pereira’s study clearly demonstrates how gender stereotypes cross cultural lines.

The problem with biases is that they infiltrate a culture that bombards young girls - and even women - with ideas that doing anything “like a girl” is bad. This creates a stereotype threat: the idea that when people hear that they aren’t supposed to be good at something, they will tend towards underperformance.

These stereotype threats, according to the AAUW, are a major reason as to why almost all institutions and industries are run by men. Tall, white men.

If traditional gender stereotypes are stifled in early childhood, however, the prominence of these biases in later life will be far less. And that’s just what Target is trying to do with their recent changes.

Target, however, has received backlash from many people citing “tradition” and “nature,” and the conservative Fox News Network devoted four segments to outrage over the change, according to Business Insider.

Target’s move represents the beginning of the end. It is burgeoning to end of major corporations perpetuating gender stereotypes.This move will hopefully make it easier for girls to one day take over leadership roles without being labelled as “bossy” and for boys to one day aspire to becoming nurses without being ridiculed.

Sorry, Freud. Your theory is wrong. It was even wrong back in 1924 when you first made it. It’s too bad that it’s taken this long for enough people to realize it, but there has been a major shift in the societal perception of gender stereotypes. Before you know it, that statement about gender identity will be just another testament of how far society has progressed.

New Technology Enhances Classroom

Even in the midst of setup difficulties, the new laptops are a welcomed asset.

BY MADISON HEIDE SPORTS EDITOR

Included with the countless papers sent home over the summer was a mention of the new 1:1 initiative to be implemented in the upcoming school year. The paperwork also showed a $475 increase in tuition to account for the new technology.

Computers were already a consistent sight in the classroom because many girls brought their personal devices from home, and I found it hard to understand why the new computers were Teachers are also putting necessary or needed. But when I received my Macbook Air Students that like the laptops directions and assignments online, minimizing handouts. The computers during orientation I allow for more efficient and was unaware of the easier ways to connect to changes they would school while at home and in bring to Sion. the classroom.

The laptops The only downfall so far provide a much is that the Macbooks were needed outlet for almost immediately met with every student, even with the unyielding technological 86% an array of technological difficulties. But this is to be expected when given the difficulties. I have huge implementation of new used my computer as a resource in every Of 73 students polled technology. It is understood it will take a while for the class, something I faculty and the students had never done before. Math teacher to become proficient in using the Reynold Middleton uses it as a way to technology, and that there will be enforce participation among students, unresolvable difficulties at times. and science teacher Kathleen Teel uses Applications such as Photoshop and it to allow us to access the textbook. InDesign took weeks to be placed on the computers. Even considering the complications, which can disrupt learning, the benefits outweigh the negatives.

The only other downfall is the introduction of Google Fiber has also resulted in continual unreliable wifi. This creates even more problems when classrooms are consistently requiring internet and laptop use during class, and teachers are using both as resources for teaching. Much needed class time is wasted because of technological difficulties.

But even when considering their complications, the computers allow opportunities to expand knowledge and connect students to their education.

Students are able to explore the world of technolgy and find information quickly and effectively. When the wifi works, of course.