Jämställdhet i fokus? : En studie av hur fyra pedagoger arbetar med genus och jämställdhet i förberedelseklasser

Sammanfattning: This study is based on a qualitative research and the aim is to study how teachers work with gender equality perspective in the classroom with newly arrived pupils from abroad, and how the teachers approach and pay attention to the female and male pupils in class. The study also defines and analyzes the teachers´ perspective on the subject of gender and equality and what approach and educational methods are used when teaching on the subject. Data was collected through observations from four different occasions and interviews with four teachers. The observations revealed no difference in the teachers´ treatment of their male and female pupils where both genders received equal attention. The teachers´ point of view was that gender is a social construct and that equality is linked to gender, and that therefor education on gender and equality is imperative in order to prevent stereotypical roles to take effect. The teachers referred to the curriculum as the primary tool to educate on the topic of gender and equality, but emphasized it requires awareness and familiarity with the topic. It was also found that the teachers considered education on the topic itself to be crucial from a societal and immigration perspective as it could help newly arrived pupils to integrate into their new society. Furthermore, the teachers were critical of the opinion that lack of language skills could be considered a barrier preventing education on the subject. The general consensus among the participating teachers was that the main objective should always be that female and male pupils are treated equally and are given equal opportunities in education, and that finding alternative tools and methods in order to effectively deliver that message is part of their responsibilities.