Browsing by Author "Virtakoski, Laura"

Tiivistelmä - Referat - Abstract Equality between genders has long been set into the values and goals of schools, but its application in practice has often merely remained a formality. There are still many gender-based practices and ways of thinking within schools. They are problematic for both girls and boys, but they especially touch gender minorities, who do not clearly define themselves as girls or boys. The goal of this literary review was to enhance the gender awareness of teachers by reviewing central concepts found in literature. An additional goal was to review within a school context what challenges face physical education from a gender prespective and to provide information and assistance for physical education based on gender awareness. This thesis utilized descriptive literacy review methods for its conclusions. The selected literary sources were made up of national and international source material. First gender concepts and gender minorities were reviewed from the source material. Once this was done challenges in physical education were reviewed from a gender perspective. Lastly ways of improving physical education towards gender awereness were suggested. The literary review revealed that gender as a concept has many facets to it. It is often divided into a biological and social dimension. Gender is quite diverse compared to the binary way of seeing gender. Gender minorities especially bring forth diversity. This concept refers to people who simply do not experience themselves as female or male. One of the main challenges of physical education from a gender perspective found in this literary review is that there are many heteronormative practises that can be observed from various channels. Another challenge was segregated physical education, which places girls and boys into separate, yet internally conforming groups, where internal differences and tastes within a group are not taken into consideration. Another find was that gender-based ostracization and teasing was a challenge in physical education, which according to research was especially the case with gender minorities. Gender-awared physical education was offered as a suggested improvement. It involves breaking down heteronormative assumptions and practices, self-reflection by the teacher and supprting students to grow as people.