Gender and sustainability. Raising primary school children’s awareness of gender stereotypes and promoting change in their attitudes.

Abstract

This paper examines one aspect of the importance of the concept of gender for the promotion of sustainable communities from the perspective of the role of education. It is argued that it is important and possible to deconstruct gender stereotypes already present at an early age in order to build counter stereotypes that will help individuals pursue their own personal pathways without being subjected to prejudice and discrimination. A small-scale research project conducted in a primary school in Italy, using semi-quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, is proposed as an example of how learning activities can create awareness of gender stereotypes and promote changes in attitudes in young children.