what the teacher said to me at parent-teacher conference - Page 2

[darcytrue]

Originally Posted by A&A

Well she did go on to say that he sometimes has trouble staying on task, talks too much, got too muddy at recess today, etc. -- behaviors she is automatically labeling as "boy" and at the same time, systematically criticizing boys as a whole with her statement.

This is my "DDaughter" as well. I can't stand sexist statements like that either. However I'd let it go. I'm sure she meant nothing bad towards your son.

[Subhuti]

Oh boy! No pun intended....

That kind of comment depends on the context, the person saying it, and the intent. But it is significant to me that that is how you perceived it. I think that if you feel there is a kind of subtle sexism happening there, than giving the book might help.

Liz

[Freeman]

In Boys Adrift (Leonard Sax), Sax advocates single-sex schools because of the "feminized" environment of today's schools. "Typical" girl behavior has become the expected standard, while "typical" boy behavior is not tolerated or encouraged. Sax says that competition, outdoor play, gym class, recess, etc., have all been reduced in the schools. Sitting still, paying attention, etc. is the expectation & is what's easier for the teachers. Most elementary school teachers are women, etc.

[A&A]

Originally Posted by Freeman

In Boys Adrift (Leonard Sax), Sax advocates single-sex schools because of the "feminized" environment of today's schools. "Typical" girl behavior has become the expected standard, while "typical" boy behavior is not tolerated or encouraged. Sax says that competition, outdoor play, gym class, recess, etc., have all been reduced in the schools. Sitting still, paying attention, etc. is the expectation & is what's easier for the teachers. Most elementary school teachers are women, etc.

That's all true. (Oh, how my ds would love a male teacher!)

I'll have to read that book.

[sunnmama]

Hmm...I had male teachers in elementary school (3rd, 4th, and 6th grades...we had elem through 6th, and jr high 7-9, etc). If anything, I just remember the male teachers having more control of the classroom (more authoritative, less nurturing, less chances for problem behavior, etc). I liked them, but didn't feel any "freer" in their classrooms. Maybe a little less, because they intimidated me. I do know that the only 2 times I was ever disciplined in elementary school, it was by my male teachers. And I was a super goody-goody rule following kid, so apparently they didn't take any crap, lol.

[Mary-Beth]

I don't know what I would say if a teacher said that to me.

I think he is just being a regular kid....getting muddy, playing around, talking, sounds pretty healthy to me.

[purplemoon]

That statement would annoy me too. Typical behaviors in boys, and girls, that aren't sitting still and quiet, are downgraded to being "bad". No, they are great, just not great for the new classroom. That is a teacher problem, a school problem, not a kid problem. Kids are excited with energy and curiosity. Make your classroom open to that natural and wonderful behavior and you won't be going crazy.

I would have a hard time letting the statement go as well, but I am impressed that you said what you did. I would be just dumbfounded.