Gender Issues in Learning and Advertisements

Psychology of Gender

Long Answers

Q1 COVID PSA for Men

a)

What do women want? They want men who are responsible, secure, and confident enough to care about themselves and others. Do yourselves and women a favor, men: wear a mask, get vaccinated, and practice social distancing. Women will love you for it.

Here’s how: contact a local healthcare provider today. Information is available online at www.vaccines.gov and www.hhs.gov.

In difficult times, doing the right thing can be a heroic act. We all want loving, friendly relationships. If we cannot meet in person, or form the kinds of relationships we’d like to right now, let’s at least do our part to show that we care. That way when this is all over, we’ll be well and able to live free once more.

Remember: six feet. Mask up.

The choice is yours. Make the right one today.

b)

The first part of the PSA is justified based on how people respond to advertising and marketing: the PSA directly addresses men who are interested in how they are perceived by women. Obviously, men who do not care what women think or feel are not the target of this PSA, but the vast majority of men do care about what women think so it makes sense for the PSA to begin by identifying care and concern with COVID safety protocols. It links responsibility, security, and confidence to mask wearing, getting vaccinated, and social distancing.

The next part of the PSA addresses the main issue that men seem to have with not getting vaccinated, which is that the process is difficult for them to navigate: according to Steinhauer (2021), “Because the sign up has been cumbersome and confusing, men may have had less patience in navigating the system, which has largely taken place online, a process that women might find easier since they tend to get more of their health care information online.” This part is perhaps the most important because it makes the process of getting vaccinated easy: it gives two links that will allow men to find where they can receive a COVID vaccination. Since men need simple instructions and guidance like this, this part of the PSA is essential: it points them in the right direction to credible online sources of information, where they can find the closest vaccine.

The final part of the PSA appeals to the psychology of gender, as described by Bosson et al. (2021). Men want reasons, and this last section of the PSA gives them a good reason to practice COVID safety.

This is followed by a simple reminder of COVID safety protocols—maintain six feet social distancing, and wear a mask. The statements are simple and blunt, which will appeal to the masculine psychology.

A last call to action concludes the PSA: it acknowledges that no one is forcing men to do anything against their will. Men like to be able to choose for themselves. They also like action. The call to action invites them to take action.

Q3 Response to Sarah

a)

Sarah, you are a smart woman, and the fact that you are concerned about this research proves it. The best thing a person can do is be aware of what’s going on, and you are totally aware of the challenges that remain for girls. We are the ones responsible for removing stereotypes and making sure girls don’t acquire a certain mentality that limits their potential. As Perry (2017) points out in the article, this mentality can become entrenched as early as 6 years old. So we have to be extra vigilant with our kids even before they get into school: let them know that they can do anything, be anything, and that the only ceilings that exist are the ones in their own minds.

Now, some things to consider: first of all, you say you’re no good at math! I think that is being a little uncharitable with yourself—math is something we’re all bad at unless we practice it every day and keep up with it. I used to be great at math in high school because I worked at it every day—but after that I haven’t touched math for one minute and I can tell you that I have trouble doing even the most basic division. The more we practice something, the better we will be at it—and that goes for anyone, boys as well as girls.

Additionally, even if you feel math is just not something you “get” that doesn’t mean your daughter won’t “get” it! It’s not a genetic defect or something hereditary that you pass on to others. Everybody has special talents and interests—that goes without saying. The key to success is finding out what you like, what you’re great at, and tapping that potential. And the more things you work hard at, the more options you will have. So return to the point I made above—there is no ceiling for your daughter—none. The only ceiling she will have is the one she gives herself.

You also say it “seem hopeless” that your girl can be whatever she wants to be because no matter what she will feel less smart than her brother, but Perry (2017) actually says that this is not correct—girls are conditioned to think this way and it starts in the home. So long as you remain strong and give your daughter a great example and let her know that she has the power to be anything, you will be doing everything you need to do. With the right encouragement and support, your daughter will never feel “less smart” than her brother. All the research shows is that the conditioning starts earlier than we thought. So the key is to be extra mindful of the messages you allow in your home. And the another key is to emphasize practice! The more one practices anything—whether it is piano, basketball, reading, math, dance, you name it—the better at it that person will be, and that goes for boys as well as girls.

I know you won’t “screw it up” because you’re already taking the right steps by showing you care.

b)

Three practical suggestions about how you can raise your children in order to avoid the problems you are concerned about are these:

1) Take your kids to your local library. Libraries have great programs for kids that can give them a jump start on just about anything. There are aids and librarians there who love working with young kids to help them master skills that parents don’t always have the time or ability to focus on. Getting your kids around other helpers and positive reinforcement will certainly help them to get on the right track, developmentally speaking.

2) Designate study time in your house. So even when your kids get to school they will know that there is a set time for doing school work, studying, and making sure they are putting in the hours for practice. Even if you follow no other rule, this one will be most important because, as I said, practice is what makes perfect, and to make practice meaningful we have to be disciplined about it. Success is not determined by biology or genetics—it is determined by the amount of effort and hard work we put into it.

3) Always give positive encouragement to both your kids and let them know that anything is possible if they put their minds to it. Never let them be discouraged or get down on themselves when they struggle. Struggle is important; it is necessary. Grit and determination are born out of struggle. Allowing your kids to push through the hard times until they have that break-through ah-ha moment is vital. During those times always give your uncompromising support and be positive no matter what!