Problem
Case Study: Removal of Sexist Materials
It's the beginning of the school year at Mayibuye Senior Primary school. Jo Hannalea has been the media specialist at the school for ten years. Her work in integrating library learning experiences with assignments and her enthusiasm and patience in working with young people has earned her the respect of both faculty members and the school administration. Jo has a new assistant this year - Toni Latha, a recent Library School graduate.
Toni is enjoying working with the faculty of the middle school, especially a group of young women teachers who share a common concern about the prevalence of sex role stereotypes and the harm caused to both women and men by these expectations. Yesterday at lunch Toni was discussing these concerns with some of the teachers. One of the teachers suggested that Toni could start by examining library material for sexist stereotypes. Toni went back to the media centre and found that the media centre has excellent materials portraying girls and women in a variety of job situations as well as working in the home. There are also books depicting women and girls participating in various sports and leading active lives. The media centre also has current books portraying boys and men in a variety of roles, including working in the home and nurturing children. However, Toni has found some sexist materials that include outdated stereotypes of women and girls most of which were published ten or more years ago.
Toni approaches Jo Hannalea, her supervisor. Toni feels strongly that it's harmful to expose young people to material that may reinforce negative stereotypes of women. The school should take the lead to remove these stereotypes. Toni is enthusiastic about taking on the project of weeding the media centre of the outdated sexist material. Some of the teachers have volunteered to spend three hours a week helping her until the project is complete. Toni is ready to start immediately.
Task
a) What is your response as Jo Hannalea, the Library Media specialist?
b) What strategies can the school media centre use to assist in educating young people about the serious consequences of sex role stereotyping?
c) What should Jo Hannalea and Toni Latha do next?