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Ideas About Gender
(and Chocolate?)

This lesson is a practical exploration of gender stereotypes and the arbitrary nature of their application, using a fun discussion of chocolate.

Learning intentions:

  • Recognise gender stereotypes in our culture
  • Understand the ways we make assumptions about gender
  • Develop skills to separate identities and stereotypes

Digital Educator: Chloe

  • 12-30 learners

    Class size

  • 7+

    Year Level

  • 40-60 minutes

    Course duration

  • One

    Student Handouts

    Preparing for the lesson

    Information
    Resources

    ACHPE Objectives

    UNESCO Objectives

    Safety & Wellbeing

    Sequence
    Extension
    In this Ideas About Gender (and Chocolate?) lesson, students will be introduced to the concepts of gender stereotypes and gender expression.

    They will examine their own views and cultural influences on masculinity and femininity. Working in small groups, they will explore assumptions about gender using the characteristics of chocolate bars. Students will also discuss how gender is enforced online.


    Each lesson ends with a consolidation activity, inviting students to list 1 thing they have learnt from the lesson, 1 thing they already knew, 1 piece of advice they would share with a friend, and 1 adult or organisation that would be helpful in relation to the lesson topic.  

    Facilitator Printouts

    Empty space, drag to resize
    The Many faces of Masculinity

    Student Printouts

    Additional Information

    AC9HP8P03: Examining how roles, decision-making, and levels of power, coercion and control within relationships can be influenced by gender stereotypes.
    • Examining how gender roles and stereotypes can influence beliefs and decisions about self, friendships, sexual relationships, sexual behaviour. 
    • Investigating strategies that have been successful in challenging harmful or limiting stereotypes, attitudes or practices.
    Key concept 3: Understanding gender.
    3.1 The Social Construction of Gender and Gender Norms
    • Key idea: Gender roles and gender norms influence people’s lives.


    3.2 Gender Equality, Stereotypes and Bias
    • Key idea: Stereotypes about gender can lead to bias and inequality.
    • This is a fun and light hearted lesson that gives students a chance to explore gender stereotypes and their limitations. Because of this, the lesson focuses on the binary notion of gender (i.e. male/female and masculine/feminine) so it is important to encourage discussion of how these binary ideas harm us all, including trans and gender diverse young people. 

    • If it is appropriate for your cohort you should ask what stereotypes exist about trans and non-binary people. It is important that discussion is handled respectfully and links back to how much stereotypes limit all of us from expressing our true selves. 
    1. Students can research the history of gender across cultures including two spirit people, BrotherBoys and SisterGirls.
    2. Acknowledge and celebrate days like IDAHOBIT and Wear It Purple Day. 

    Ideally, you will have scope to deliver all of the lessons in your program. However we understand that many schools have limited capacity to do so. Should you find yourself having to implement part of this program, we have provided a suggested sequence of lessons within the broader skills and knowledge categories of relationship, consent, gender, and cybersafety. We recommend delivering at least one lesson from each category.

    1. Group Agreements & Pod Mapping should be the first lesson as per best practice.
    2. Puberty & Reproduction: A Refresher should be delivered early in the program to ensure students have an understanding of the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty including menstruation and sperm production.
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