Producing men and women: gender stereotyping during secondary schooling

Abstract

This discussion is concerned with the existence and maintenance of gender stereotypes in learning institutions in Zimbabwe. These stereotypes help to maintain practices, which foster gender imbalances. It examines the accepted norms that create forces, which militate against the achievement of good grades by girls. It also examines the factors that present limitations to their future aspirations in competitive fields of employment. The problem of poor performance by girls is prevalent in most African education systems, but tends to possess contextual peculiarities, which vary from society to society. The chapter discuses the problem from a Zimbabwean point of view, examining factors that lead to girls performing badly in school. The discussion specifically examines existing anomalies that are left unchallenged within the learning environment and the education system and the extent to which some of the learning institutions disadvantage the girl pupil. It seeks to address the problem of what happens to girls within the school environment and how that may possibly affect their performance and retention levels.