*sigh*
ok so here's the thing.
I work in a boys' school in the UK, I'm training to teach Religious Education... I get 'advised' to say/do things that I JUST CAN'T DO.
the most recent piece of advice was:
"If they're not doing work, embarrass them, get them to stand up and make a show of them, get them to read out the work and ask the class if they think that student's done enough... if they're talking - say to them - 'stop talking, you're not a girl are you?! you're not on your period?!'..."
the worst bit? I was advised this by a female member of staff.... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?!?!
I just did the 'good student' smile and nod thinking to myself "only 5 more weeks and then this placement's over..."
I'm just going to calmly and collectedly ignore everything she said in that conversation and get on with things... my way...
glad to get that off my chest...
xLx
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Wait, what? That sounds pretty bad. Can you clarify what kind of placement this is, how old are you, are you a student or a teacher? Are you working for the government or a private organization?
I'm a student teacher (training to be a teacher, in the UK this is a postgrad course which lasts 1 year) in state eduction... and yes it is bad... but all the sexism embedded in the school is 'justified' by the management by the fact that it's a boys' school... its a big pile of crap...
xLx
I can see how having a student stand up and share their work might motivate them to work harder. That sort of technique can probably be good if implemented properly and bad if not-- it doesn't sound like its categorically wrong to me.
However, all the stuff about calling them girls is really strange and out of line. I'd file a complaint with someone above you.
I don't think having a student share their work to shame them is going to be productive at any level unless your goal is to lower their self esteem, get other kids to pick on them or make them hate you.
I like Professor Brene Brown's book on shame (also a feminist book). a point in her book is that you can never shame people into changing their behavior:
http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-research/
It's fine to comment that she has good biceps, but I think it's stupid to say she'll inspire women to do it too. Women are already "inspired" enough to work out, for bad reasons and good reasons. I will say that reducing her *fitness level* to having good biceps is bad. This is what is annoying- too many women work out to look a certain way rather than to be strong. I'm sorry but standing infront of the mirror lifting light weights bedroom furniture to get "Michelle Obama biceps" before your wedding doesn't make you fit. This is what bothers me about the comment.