Explain that how hidden curriculum reinforces gender role.
Certainly! Here's a **notebook-style, detailed explanation** for the question:
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## ❖ **Explain how hidden curriculum reinforces gender roles**
**\[Marks: 10]**
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### ✦ **Introduction:**
In schools, students not only learn the official syllabus (like math, science, languages) but also pick up **unwritten rules, behaviors, and values**. This is known as the **"hidden curriculum."**
It includes everything that is **implicitly taught** through school culture, teacher behavior, classroom settings, and interactions — and **it often reinforces traditional gender roles.**
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### ✦ **What is Hidden Curriculum?**
> Hidden Curriculum refers to the informal and unspoken lessons, values, norms, and beliefs that students learn in school, which are not part of the official curriculum.
Examples include:
* How boys and girls are treated differently in class
* Expectations from boys vs. girls
* Messages sent through textbooks and school culture
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### ✦ **How Hidden Curriculum Reinforces Gender Roles:**
#### 1. ✅ **Gender-Based Expectations by Teachers**
* Teachers may expect **boys to be active and assertive**, and **girls to be quiet and obedient**.
* These expectations limit students from developing qualities freely, reinforcing traditional roles.
#### 2. ✅ **Unequal Participation in Activities**
* Boys may be encouraged to participate in science, sports, leadership roles.
* Girls may be guided toward art, cleanliness, or support roles like helping in decorations or events.
➡️ This division promotes **gender-specific career and social roles**.
#### 3. ✅ **Textbooks and Examples**
* Many textbooks still depict **men as doctors, engineers, leaders** and **women as mothers, nurses, or caretakers**.
➡️ These images send a hidden message that limits what boys and girls believe they can become.
#### 4. ✅ **Classroom Roles and Responsibilities**
* Girls are often asked to **maintain discipline, clean boards, or assist teachers**, while boys are given **technical or leadership roles**.
➡️ This normalizes gender-based labor division.
#### 5. ✅ **Disciplinary Actions**
* Boys’ aggressive behavior is often excused as "boys will be boys", while girls are punished for being outspoken.
➡️ This discourages girls from being assertive and independent.
#### 6. ✅ **Language and Communication Style**
* Teachers and school staff may use **gender-biased language** like "Don’t cry like a girl" or "Be strong like a boy", reinforcing stereotypes.
➡️ This teaches students to conform to **rigid gender expectations**.
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### ✦ **Conclusion:**
Hidden curriculum is a powerful but invisible part of school education that **strongly shapes children’s understanding of gender roles**.
If not checked, it reinforces stereotypes and inequalities. Teachers and schools must be conscious of this hidden curriculum and **promote equality by providing equal opportunities, fair treatment, and gender-neutral learning experiences**.
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