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Summaries · Grade 5 Life Skills › Gender roles and fairness
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Gender roles and fairness

Gender roles then and now, stereotypes about boys and girls, equal opportunities and rights. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Fair or not?

SituationWhat it is
A coach won’t let Tumi play cricket because she is a girlDiscrimination
You decide not to like a new learner before you know herPrejudice
The fastest runners are chosen for the relay after a fair trialNot discrimination
“Nursing is only for women”Stereotype: men are also good nurses

Bias: unfairly favouring one group. Children learn stereotypes from what they hear and see around them. Speak up when someone is left out. Grandparents are often good role models: they share wisdom, values and life experience.

Boys and girls can do anything.
Boys and girls can do anything.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Missing rights

SituationRight
A girl can’t go to school because she must look after her siblingsEducation
A very sick child can’t see a doctorHealth care
A family lives in a shack that leaks when it rainsAdequate housing
A blind learner gets books in brailleEducation (protected)

Responsibility with the right to education: be at school on time and do your homework. Long ago, women in rural areas often fetched water, grew vegetables and prepared food.

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Elders and children in our cultures

  • In many South African cultures elders are treated with great respect: children greet them first and listen to their advice.
  • Elders pass on the family’s stories, traditions and wisdom to the young.
  • Boys and girls each have responsibilities at home, and today they increasingly share the same tasks.
  • Women and men both contribute to the community: as parents, workers, leaders and volunteers.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Gender roles: what people expect from males and females.
  • Long ago many believed only men should work; now more women work and more men help at home.
  • “Girls cannot play soccer” and “Boys must not cry” are gender stereotypes.
  • Equal opportunities: everyone gets the same chances, boy or girl. The Constitution says they are equal.
  • Chores at home should be shared fairly.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Jobs have no gender: a nurse, a pilot, a chef — anyone can.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.

    Now the real quiz!

    The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.

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