Students are exposed to a curriculum that primes both males and females for a sexist society. Picture books are the first reading materials to which young children are exposed. An analysis of award winning children's books reveals negative associations about being female. Sex role stereotyping is already operative at the prereading and early reading stages. The next level of books for youngsters is the basal level. Here again, studies of texts reveal sexual stereotyping. The examination of content area textbooks suggests that women neither helped shape the world nor made many contributions to it other than as homemakers. Women, are not adequately represented in the materials to which students are exposed and through which they are socialized. In an effort to improve the status of women in textbooks, several publishers have generated guidelines for writers in regard to representation and language. In addition to these texts, there are various workbooks that help sensitize teachers to their own attitudes as well as to the materials they are using. By becoming aware of sexual stereotyping, educators maximize opportunities for all students. (Author/APM)