Reply to Girls marginalized, boys allowed to control limited resources

Forum Index » Schools and Education General Discussion

Reply to "Girls marginalized, boys allowed to control limited resources"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here.  She was not complaining.  I also do not think she had some sort of meaty role behind the camera.  The knot in my stomach tells me that she has already accepted as normal that boys' ideas come first.

Where I am stuck is in how to address this with the camp.  What is it that the adults could have done differently?  The only thing I can come up with is that they should have paid more attention to equitably dividing time with the equipment among the kids.  But you all surely have more and better ideas.

I do appreciate the suggestions that she has to learn to advocate for herself.  She's 11, and it's a work in progress.  But equally I don't want to file all of this under "she needs to do better" when I know there is a sexism component that is out of her control, but within the power of the adults to, if not completely change, at least influence in a more positive direction.

[/quote]

It's interesting she wasn't complaining. Had she complained prior to this? When she talks about the camp, what sense are you getting from her? Does she seem actively involved, or like a bystander?

My DD would have been mortified to be on camera at that age, and would have happily taken on the task of filming the other kids, working with them on their plans (or even providing them with a skit/performance to use), mapping out the whole project. If you look at almost any finished project she's involved in, you won't see her, but if you know her you will definitely see her touch. It sounds like you think your daughter would have liked to be more front and center, can you ask her? Because then you can work with her on tools. This is a tough age, because the elementary school solution "go tell the camp counselor that you have an idea for a commercial and the other kids are ignoring you, please help" doesn't work any more. But your daughter could go to the counselor and say she doesn't think her ideas are getting a fair hearing, and does the counselor have any ideas for what she could do. The counselor might then help the kids set up a brainstorming meeting and showing them how everyone, specifically, gets asked about their ideas. All the ideas get written on the board, etc.

If it turns out your DD did try to get more involvement and was pushed out, you should offer that feedback to the counselors and ask them if they can implement a routine to help minimize that. A mid day check in, something. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics