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      Gender prejudice and discrimination

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain what gender prejudice and discrimination are and how denominations differ on gender roles in worship.

      Key learning points

      1. Prejudice refers to the negative thoughts a person may have about another person based on a characteristic they have.
      2. Prejudice can lead to actions which are known as discrimination.
      3. Prejudice and discrimination can occur based on someone's gender and sex.
      4. Most Christians are opposed to gender prejudice and discrimination.
      5. Some Churches allow equal access to ordination and leadership for men and women whilst others do not.

      Keywords

      • Discrimination - actions that come from prejudice attitudes

      • Ordination - when someone is chosen and blessed to become a church leader, like a priest or minister.

      • Prejudice - negative thoughts, feelings or beliefs about a person (prejudging them) based on a characteristic they have, e.g. their gender

      • St Paul - important Christian from the first century C.E. who wrote much of the New Testament

      Common misconception

      That Jesus said 'I do not permit a woman to have authority over a man'

      This is attributed to St Paul in the letter to Timothy.

      Teacher tip

      Students can look in more depth at the different roles that Christian women have held within different denominations.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What social change has influenced equality in household roles?

      fewer marriages
      Correct answer: women entering the workforce
      more religious festivals

      Q2.
      Some Christian teachings support the idea that men and women have roles in the home.

      Correct Answer: separate, Separate

      Q3.
      What do more liberal Christians believe about gender roles?

      only men should lead
      Correct answer: roles should be equal and shared
      women should stay at home

      Q4.
      Christians have views about the roles of men and women in the home.

      Correct Answer: different

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Prejudice means having negative about someone because of who they are.

      Correct Answer: thoughts

      Q2.
      What is gender prejudice?

      supporting equal rights
      treating everyone the same
      Correct answer: believing one gender is better than another

      Q3.
      Most Christians believe everyone is made in the of God and should be treated equally.

      Correct Answer: image

      Q4.
      Which Christian denomination is most likely to allow female bishops?

      None of them
      Roman Catholic
      Correct answer: Church of England

      Q5.
      In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul wrote that he did not permit a woman to have over a man.

      Correct Answer: authority

      To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Gender prejudice and discrimination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...