What Can America Learn from Swedish School Systems? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

What Can America Learn from Swedish School Systems?

Breaking down gender inequality one toy at a time

8
What Can America Learn from Swedish School Systems?
Huffington Post

The issue of gender stereotyping has received a flurry of media attention; institutions across the country are doing away with gendered restrooms and Target stores are reorganizing products based on functionality instead of gender. Like any social issue, people have very strong opinions, some even refusing to use public restrooms and others boycotting Target. The underlying issue here is whether the world would benefit from the destruction of gender norms. While the issue is still being hashed out in America, Sweden is one step ahead. In 1998, Sweden passed legislation that required schools to make changes to their curriculum and teaching styles in order to give boys and girls the same opportunities and allow them to develop without gendered restrictions.

In her article for The Guardian, Anna Leach explores how five Swedish preschools were able to make such drastic changes and whether or not the public could get behind these new ideas. Lotta Rojalin, the head of these five schools, opened the first in 2011 and named it Egalia, which translates to "equality" in Latin. Within these schools dress-up clothes, building blocks, cars and doll houses are not organized by gender but, instead, are jumbled up, encouraging boys and girls to play together. Rajalin says, "It's all about democracy. We want to give all children the same opportunities [sic] the same rights."

Teachers at Egalia must go through rigorous training. Rojalin explains that in order to open the teachers' eyes to their own gender biases, they were filmed interacting with both boys and girls and the differences were clear. Girls were comforted for a longer time than boys were and teachers spent more time conversing with girls than boys. She explains that it is not easy to reflect on one's own gender biases, but it is necessary for the job. Teachers must also refrain from using the terms "girls" or "boys" and instead use "friends". Also, instead of saying "him" or "her" they must use the gender-neutral pronoun "hen".

Malin Engelson, the parent of a 15-month-old student at a gender-neutral preschool explains why she chose the school for her daughter. She says, "It's so important to start at an early age" referring to the discussion of gender roles. Of course, not everyone agrees.

Peter Rudberg, the father of a three-year-old student at the same school, calls the gender neutral approach to teaching "a boon". He believes that gender inequality is a nonissue in Sweden and the focus on gender neutrality could be ineffective in the sense that boys are discouraged from playing traditionally masculine games and encouraged to try more traditionally feminine ones. A child counselor in north London, Pippa Hodges, agrees with Rudberg. She says, "There might be a danger of children identifying strongly with a particular gender and not being supported in that; the risk of confusion and shame is high at this developmental stage."

Whether teaching in a gender-neutral style is effective or not will continue to be a topic of debate but for now, it is a step toward encouraging gender equality.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180559
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7545
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452716
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23421
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments