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Lesson 3 of 4
  • Year 5

Challenging gender stereotypes

I can explain how society can make life better for women and girls in modern Britain.

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View unit
Lesson 3 of 4
New
New
  • Year 5

Challenging gender stereotypes

I can explain how society can make life better for women and girls in modern Britain.

Download all

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Women and girls face specific forms of discrimination and unequal treatment based on their gender.
  2. Issues may include being treated differently at work or school, and being made to feel unsafe.
  3. Stereotyping reinforces misogynistic attitudes and can normalise discriminatory behaviour toward women and girls.
  4. We can actively and safely challenge gender stereotypes and call out discriminatory language or assumptions.
  5. Achieving gender equality benefits society as a whole, not just women and girls.

Keywords

  • Stereotype - an unfair belief about someone based on their characteristics

  • Discrimination - treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

  • Misogyny - dislike or unfair treatment of women and girls, often shown through unkind beliefs or actions

Common misconception

Misogyny is harmless and does not have a serious impact.

Misogyny is unacceptable. It can lead to the unfair or harmful treatment of women and girls, such as harassment and violence. It can also make them feel less confident, undervalued and even scared.


To help you plan your year 5 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Challenging gender stereotypes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Make yourself aware of any anti-sexism policies within your school, so that you can contextualise the learning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word means treating people differently or unfairly based on their gender?

Correct Answer: sexism

Q2.
Which of these is an example of a gender stereotype?

Correct answer: "Boys are naturally better at maths than girls."
"Some people are taller than others."
"Everyone has different strengths and talents."
"People should be kind to each other."

Q3.
A girl wants to join the robotics club but is told "that's for boys." What is happening here?

she is being treated fairly and equally
she is being given helpful advice
Correct answer: she is experiencing discrimination based on gender
she is being offered equal opportunities

Q4.
Gender equality does mean trying to make women better than men.

Correct Answer: not

Q5.
Why might gender stereotypes be harmful?

they help people make quick decisions
Correct answer: they limit what people think they can do or be
they are always true and accurate
they make everyone feel included

Q6.
Match each situation to whether it shows fair or unfair treatment.

Correct Answer:only boys picked for football team,unfair treatment based on gender

unfair treatment based on gender

Correct Answer:everyone can try out for school play,fair treatment based on equal opportunities

fair treatment based on equal opportunities

Correct Answer:girls told they can't be engineers,lack of job opportunities caused by unfair treatment

lack of job opportunities caused by unfair treatment

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are some inequalities women and girls may face in modern Britain?

Correct answer: being treated differently at work or school
always being treated the same as men and boys
having more opportunities than men and boys

Q2.
What can happen if people believe unfair stereotypes about women and girls?

Everyone becomes more respectful.
Correct answer: It can lead to unkind behaviour.
It helps create equal opportunities.
Women and girls feel more supported to be themselves.

Q3.
Match the word to its correct meaning.

Correct Answer:discrimination,treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

Correct Answer:misogyny,dislike or unfair treatment of women and girls

dislike or unfair treatment of women and girls

Correct Answer:gender equality,when people have fair opportunities and rights, regardless of gender

when people have fair opportunities and rights, regardless of gender

Q4.
When we speak up and challenge stereotypes, we help make the world a place.

Correct Answer: fairer, better, safer, kinder, more inclusive

Q5.
Someone says "misogyny isn't a big deal - it's just words and doesn't really hurt anyone." Is this statement true or false?

True - words can't cause real harm.
Correct answer: False - misogyny can lead to harassment and violence.
True - misogyny is harmless.
False - but only because it's impolite.

Q6.
Your friend says "cooking is a girl's job." What is the safest way to challenge this gender stereotype?

ignore it and say nothing
shout at your friend for being wrong
agree with them to avoid an argument
Correct answer: calmly explain this is an outdated stereotype