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Parents Share How They ‘Fixed’ Sexist Task From Their Kid’s Math Homework
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Parents Share How They ‘Fixed’ Sexist Task From Their Kid’s Math Homework

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William Sutcliffe, a book author and father from Edinburgh, was stunned to find his daughter’s math textbook features sexist examples. Last Sunday, William took to Twitter to share what made him very concerned: “My daughter’s ‘curriculum for excellence’ maths homework (used throughout Scotland) features sums about women going on spa breaks and calculating weight loss; men buying bikes and doing sit-ups.”

His tweet blew up on social media, with many parents joining the thread to share what they thought of the Scottish textbook employing gender stereotypes. But William and his wife didn’t stop there.

Realizing what a wrong impression it could have on their daughter, they changed the names on the worksheet by swapping female and male characters. People online have praised the two, and since the internet is sometimes a magical place, William was happy to get a response from the publishing house who assured they’re working on updating the old content with adequate contexts.

The Edinburgh dad recently tweeted about a very concerning math textbook his daughter was working on for her homework

Image credits: Will_Sutcliffe8

The textbook used sexist examples to calculate sums that left the parents appalled

Image credits: Will_Sutcliffe8

But mom made a much-needed change and corrected the characters’ names

Image credits: Will_Sutcliffe8

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Image credits: Will_Sutcliffe8

Image credits: Will_Sutcliffe8

The infamous textbook was published by Teejay publishing house, which proudly presents itself as “Scotland’s No. 1 Maths publisher, founded on 1st February 1994 by brothers Tom and John Strang.”

In a response to dad William, the publisher confirmed that this content is old and apologized for it being circulated. They promised to “ensure that the content is updated and the contexts in use are appropriate.”

However, this is not the first time that school books across the globe bear undeniable sexist examples as part of children’s educational material. In fact, the problem is so widespread that in 2016, Unesco issued a policy paper analysis that warned against sexist attitudes and their damage in textbooks.

And this is the response from Teejay Maths publishing house that William received after his tweet blew up

Image credits: Teejay_Maths

Image credits: Will_Sutcliffe8

Such textbooks end up undermining the education of girls in a way that they limit their career and life expectations in profound ways, and according to Unesco, they represent a “hidden obstacle” to achieving gender equality. Meanwhile, Aaron Benavot, the former director of Unesco’s 2016 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report, said that “surveys show that females are overwhelmingly underrepresented in textbooks and curricula.”

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In many cases, the problem has three different layers. The textbooks employ traditional gender stereotypes that portray very wrong ideas about men and women, including traits and social expectations. Then, women characters are often left completely absent from the texts while male characters take the key roles.

And lastly, the use of gender-biased language, when male words fully replace female ones, is a very common occurrence in educational material for schoolchildren of various ages, social and cultural backgrounds.

People joined the thread to share their views on the situation

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wandiledludlu avatar
wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, the solution is to change to the opposite sex anything you deem negative? If what you're changing is okay for males, why isn't it okay for women if the point is equality? It's your thinking the problem and not the book?

aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of the things are OK for BOTH male and female kids. A stereotype is only a problem because it is repeated too much. It is ok for the girl to want to loose weight. It is ok for the guy to want to get "buff". It isn't ok if it is a boy every single time a "get buff" example comes up.

Load More Replies...
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom would've done this, and called the school, and started a bake sale to buy us new math books. Wait. She did do that. Never mind. BTW, my mom was never told she could be an MD. I do not practice, but I got my MD. And that was with males and females alike saying things like, "But what about marriage and children and don't you just want to be a nurse?" Ugh.

martinkaine17 avatar
Martin Kaine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm more concerned that Ellie/Elliot lost 80% of his/her weight in a week at a health resort. I'm pretty sure that would kill any male or female.

liz-h-gregory avatar
Nicely
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I appreciate you commented a year ago, I couldn't leave this without saying it must have been one of those resorts that costs an arm and a leg. I'll see myself out.

Load More Replies...
sawier9133 avatar
A D
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

snowflake parents, I would be ashamed if I was their kid

emb825_1 avatar
RATSMACKER
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally don’t think I would. The kid’s parents want the best for her and wants to give her the best examples. What’s a better trait in a parent?

Load More Replies...
aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know someone who got fired for coming to work late by 10 minutes... they went on and on about how horrible it was that they were fired for such a small infraction. Thing is though... they arrived late EVERY DAY, and often longer than 10 minutes. But they still thought it was unfair "I was late by 10 minutes, what's the big deal". They couldn't comprehend the difference between a "one time event" and a "trend". Same thing is happening here... people are saying "this isn't a big deal"... yeah, it isn't if it happened just once. It would be a complete non-issue if it happened once. But when it happens all the time, (like the guy being late) people start to get annoyed. And the people who "don't get it"... well I wonder if they know exactly what's going on, but just pretend they don't, so they can act all innocent.

jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the frustration, but take it out on the government because the schools need to be funded better for more up to date books. I was going to say the math stays the same no matter who goes to the spa but I might be wrong because of the pink tax. (Women's products like pink razors cost more because they are pink, and supposedly women will pay more for the same item.) Aggravating.

jaysonhammer avatar
Jayson Hammer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, what did Ellie DO at the heath resort? Probably worked out, maybe by doing sit ups or biking. Maybe Dara was at the same resort! Abbie needed a spa break after her bike race, which she does with her brother Dara! We don't have enough information to determine intent. Come on teachers, tell us the WHOLE story! And what about those chickens?

emb825_1 avatar
RATSMACKER
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are complaining about the hypersensitivity about this, but I politely disagree. The company that created the paper could have easily made the names and actions interchangeable. If the paper upsets someone, it should be fixed, I think.

baconycakes1337 avatar
dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our kids are becoming bottom of the barrel in mathematics compared to other countries and this is what the parents are worried about? Great priorities

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beginners. Clear stupidity through the art of sexism. I hear your story and raise you a very recent method with a girl named Lien. In one picture Lien kisses a root beet, because those are the words the kids are learning. And it's a mere example of the other bs in that reading method. Lien seems to be portrait as a mental patient in many ways. Welcome to Western society. We think we know it all, but the fact we're barely winging it becomes clearer each day

delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one cares that all the other farm yard animals are taking a backseat to the chickens?

karen_mattock avatar
lone dragon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If schools can't afford new resources, educators have to teach with what they have. However, the educator could point out these fallacies to the children and have meaningful discussions on why these fallacies aren't right. The teacher could encourage the children to fix the problem as they see fit (while keeping equations the same). Two lessons in one!

smfh avatar
Efrem Hug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, yes, the patriarchy, it must be the reason behind boys being WAY behind scholastically than girls, dropping out of school, etc I really truly want equality for everyone, but it's been proven that the more equality is legislated, the less of it there really is

smfh avatar
Efrem Hug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a kid learning basic arithmetic is 85kgs, there are some other problems to take care of as well

aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

laurissanagel avatar
Maryjane Alice
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's freaking kids' homework. Stop looking for problems that aren't there!!!!

leoh avatar
Leo H
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this sexist? 99 percent of spa clients are female...snowflakes looking to be victims

harperthurman avatar
Luna
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not that that is the part that is sexist, that part was barely changed at all. It is the part where a woman goes to a health resort instead of working out, and where men do “manly” things like buying a mountain bike. Edit: this book is probably old

Load More Replies...
dnl1318 avatar
Daniel Molitor
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This is only a problem if you make it one most kids out there don't even remember these word problems or what they were about they skim over it get the information they need for the work and forget it two hours later if they remember it that long. By point it out and becoming oversensitive about it you make it the problem and make it sexist.

ellenwall89 avatar
Crochet lady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Daniel. It's not about "remembering" it, it's implied and implicit in everything they read and see on tv ,in books, in movies, it's literally everywhere. And when people like you say it's not a big deal and don't want to even acknowledge it exists then you are part of the problem. It's like Trump & R's claiming there's no racism in America when there so clearly is. Denying a problem doesn't make it cease to exist and denying it certainly won't make it better. Kids are inundated with sexist stereotypes all day every day whether you think it's a problem is neither here nor there (unless of course you're a writer of textbooks, then it is).

Load More Replies...
officialjob-p-d avatar
DforDory
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

People don't know the difference between equality and equity. I as a woman, can state that I do not wish to be equal to men when it comes to habits. Yes, I am equal as a human being, but am not pretending that I will be so interested in football, hell, I have less enzymes that can help 'digest' alcohol,so no, I don't want to drink as much as a man. Same goals backwards. And I am a 250-bed hostel manager, with my full 162cm height and am not offended by the fact that I sometimes, as a woman, have to work twice as much to prove my competence, it makes me stronger, makes me know things better than my male colleagues..and yes, I still can use my feminine side to ask for help with my work from the all-male bosses. I don't want to be equal in my everyday life to them, cause that would mean going to drinking and soccer watching with them. Thank, but I'll stay a woman and let men be men🤗.ps. this works for me, it is my personal opinion, u don't need to agree,and I don't want to convince u.🥰

noraalmeida avatar
Nora AlMeida
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this nonsense @DforDory? To be specific, the nonsense were 1) In you saying that you are okay with wasting more of your energy and time, working twice as much as a male just to proof that you’re as good or better than a male (because you can bet that males wouldn’t accept that whatsover, if the situation was in reverse, so if you truly believe that you are equal as a human being, then you shouldn’t be okay with unequal treatment, and it is unequal treatment that you work twice as much just to prove you’re just as competent); 2) Using you ‘feminine-side’??? That isn’t equal, because you are implying that you’re behaving in a stereotypical female’s 1950’s manner to get them to help you and that isn’t fair; 3) There are plenty of actual decent men that don’t drink alcohol, and comprehend that an activity has to be respectful and inclusive to everyone, so you’re implying that those males you work with are so deep in their fragile insecure toxic ‘masculinity’ that they think 1/2

Load More Replies...
wandiledludlu avatar
wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, the solution is to change to the opposite sex anything you deem negative? If what you're changing is okay for males, why isn't it okay for women if the point is equality? It's your thinking the problem and not the book?

aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of the things are OK for BOTH male and female kids. A stereotype is only a problem because it is repeated too much. It is ok for the girl to want to loose weight. It is ok for the guy to want to get "buff". It isn't ok if it is a boy every single time a "get buff" example comes up.

Load More Replies...
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom would've done this, and called the school, and started a bake sale to buy us new math books. Wait. She did do that. Never mind. BTW, my mom was never told she could be an MD. I do not practice, but I got my MD. And that was with males and females alike saying things like, "But what about marriage and children and don't you just want to be a nurse?" Ugh.

martinkaine17 avatar
Martin Kaine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm more concerned that Ellie/Elliot lost 80% of his/her weight in a week at a health resort. I'm pretty sure that would kill any male or female.

liz-h-gregory avatar
Nicely
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I appreciate you commented a year ago, I couldn't leave this without saying it must have been one of those resorts that costs an arm and a leg. I'll see myself out.

Load More Replies...
sawier9133 avatar
A D
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

snowflake parents, I would be ashamed if I was their kid

emb825_1 avatar
RATSMACKER
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally don’t think I would. The kid’s parents want the best for her and wants to give her the best examples. What’s a better trait in a parent?

Load More Replies...
aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know someone who got fired for coming to work late by 10 minutes... they went on and on about how horrible it was that they were fired for such a small infraction. Thing is though... they arrived late EVERY DAY, and often longer than 10 minutes. But they still thought it was unfair "I was late by 10 minutes, what's the big deal". They couldn't comprehend the difference between a "one time event" and a "trend". Same thing is happening here... people are saying "this isn't a big deal"... yeah, it isn't if it happened just once. It would be a complete non-issue if it happened once. But when it happens all the time, (like the guy being late) people start to get annoyed. And the people who "don't get it"... well I wonder if they know exactly what's going on, but just pretend they don't, so they can act all innocent.

jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the frustration, but take it out on the government because the schools need to be funded better for more up to date books. I was going to say the math stays the same no matter who goes to the spa but I might be wrong because of the pink tax. (Women's products like pink razors cost more because they are pink, and supposedly women will pay more for the same item.) Aggravating.

jaysonhammer avatar
Jayson Hammer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, what did Ellie DO at the heath resort? Probably worked out, maybe by doing sit ups or biking. Maybe Dara was at the same resort! Abbie needed a spa break after her bike race, which she does with her brother Dara! We don't have enough information to determine intent. Come on teachers, tell us the WHOLE story! And what about those chickens?

emb825_1 avatar
RATSMACKER
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are complaining about the hypersensitivity about this, but I politely disagree. The company that created the paper could have easily made the names and actions interchangeable. If the paper upsets someone, it should be fixed, I think.

baconycakes1337 avatar
dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our kids are becoming bottom of the barrel in mathematics compared to other countries and this is what the parents are worried about? Great priorities

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beginners. Clear stupidity through the art of sexism. I hear your story and raise you a very recent method with a girl named Lien. In one picture Lien kisses a root beet, because those are the words the kids are learning. And it's a mere example of the other bs in that reading method. Lien seems to be portrait as a mental patient in many ways. Welcome to Western society. We think we know it all, but the fact we're barely winging it becomes clearer each day

delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one cares that all the other farm yard animals are taking a backseat to the chickens?

karen_mattock avatar
lone dragon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If schools can't afford new resources, educators have to teach with what they have. However, the educator could point out these fallacies to the children and have meaningful discussions on why these fallacies aren't right. The teacher could encourage the children to fix the problem as they see fit (while keeping equations the same). Two lessons in one!

smfh avatar
Efrem Hug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, yes, the patriarchy, it must be the reason behind boys being WAY behind scholastically than girls, dropping out of school, etc I really truly want equality for everyone, but it's been proven that the more equality is legislated, the less of it there really is

smfh avatar
Efrem Hug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a kid learning basic arithmetic is 85kgs, there are some other problems to take care of as well

aliquida avatar
Aliquid A
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

laurissanagel avatar
Maryjane Alice
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's freaking kids' homework. Stop looking for problems that aren't there!!!!

leoh avatar
Leo H
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this sexist? 99 percent of spa clients are female...snowflakes looking to be victims

harperthurman avatar
Luna
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not that that is the part that is sexist, that part was barely changed at all. It is the part where a woman goes to a health resort instead of working out, and where men do “manly” things like buying a mountain bike. Edit: this book is probably old

Load More Replies...
dnl1318 avatar
Daniel Molitor
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This is only a problem if you make it one most kids out there don't even remember these word problems or what they were about they skim over it get the information they need for the work and forget it two hours later if they remember it that long. By point it out and becoming oversensitive about it you make it the problem and make it sexist.

ellenwall89 avatar
Crochet lady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Daniel. It's not about "remembering" it, it's implied and implicit in everything they read and see on tv ,in books, in movies, it's literally everywhere. And when people like you say it's not a big deal and don't want to even acknowledge it exists then you are part of the problem. It's like Trump & R's claiming there's no racism in America when there so clearly is. Denying a problem doesn't make it cease to exist and denying it certainly won't make it better. Kids are inundated with sexist stereotypes all day every day whether you think it's a problem is neither here nor there (unless of course you're a writer of textbooks, then it is).

Load More Replies...
officialjob-p-d avatar
DforDory
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

People don't know the difference between equality and equity. I as a woman, can state that I do not wish to be equal to men when it comes to habits. Yes, I am equal as a human being, but am not pretending that I will be so interested in football, hell, I have less enzymes that can help 'digest' alcohol,so no, I don't want to drink as much as a man. Same goals backwards. And I am a 250-bed hostel manager, with my full 162cm height and am not offended by the fact that I sometimes, as a woman, have to work twice as much to prove my competence, it makes me stronger, makes me know things better than my male colleagues..and yes, I still can use my feminine side to ask for help with my work from the all-male bosses. I don't want to be equal in my everyday life to them, cause that would mean going to drinking and soccer watching with them. Thank, but I'll stay a woman and let men be men🤗.ps. this works for me, it is my personal opinion, u don't need to agree,and I don't want to convince u.🥰

noraalmeida avatar
Nora AlMeida
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this nonsense @DforDory? To be specific, the nonsense were 1) In you saying that you are okay with wasting more of your energy and time, working twice as much as a male just to proof that you’re as good or better than a male (because you can bet that males wouldn’t accept that whatsover, if the situation was in reverse, so if you truly believe that you are equal as a human being, then you shouldn’t be okay with unequal treatment, and it is unequal treatment that you work twice as much just to prove you’re just as competent); 2) Using you ‘feminine-side’??? That isn’t equal, because you are implying that you’re behaving in a stereotypical female’s 1950’s manner to get them to help you and that isn’t fair; 3) There are plenty of actual decent men that don’t drink alcohol, and comprehend that an activity has to be respectful and inclusive to everyone, so you’re implying that those males you work with are so deep in their fragile insecure toxic ‘masculinity’ that they think 1/2

Load More Replies...
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