ERIC Number: EJ1145936
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jul
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0092-055X
EISSN: N/A
Experiencing Misgendered Pronouns: A Classroom Activity to Encourage Empathy
MacNamara, Jessica; Glann, Sarah; Durlak, Paul
Teaching Sociology, v45 n3 p269-278 Jul 2017
How can teachers help students understand the importance of gender pronouns for transgender and gender-nonconforming people? This article presents a gender pronoun reversal activity that simulates the experience of being verbally misgendered. Students followed up on the activity by posting reflections on an online class discussion board. The activity promoted empathy among cisgender students for transgender people and reflexivity regarding the social boundaries of gender identity. Empathy and reflexivity were common responses among students enrolled in Sociology of Diversity and Sociology of Gender at a large research university in the northeast. We present the activity, including preparation and follow-up along with an analysis of student responses.
Descriptors: Gender Issues, Sexual Identity, Sexual Orientation, Learning Activities, Form Classes (Languages), Language Usage, Empathy, Reflection, College Students, Consciousness Raising, Identification (Psychology), Social Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A