There is an undeniable relationship between education and liberation. Education liberates people from ignorance, poverty, oppression, discrimination, violence, and illiteracy, among others. It can also help them attain knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and behaviors that enable them to contribute positively to society.
Many argue that education alone cannot liberate individuals if they are taught gender norms and stereotypes, which constitute heteronormativity. Heteronormativity refers to the presumption that everyone falls within the binary categories of male and female, and their expected roles are set according to these. It implies that only men should be masculine and strong while women should be feminine and submissive, and that heterosexual couples make up the ideal family unit. This normative view prevents the acceptance of diverse sexualities and genders, thus hindering personal and social development. Therefore, to achieve true liberation through education, it is crucial to unlearn heteronormativity first.
In schools, teachers often teach students traditional roles for males and females based on gendered stereotypes.
In science subjects, girls are expected to excel more than boys due to their alleged superiority in language-related courses, whereas boys are encouraged to pursue mathematics and engineering. Such a perception restricts girls' potential to succeed in non-traditional fields such as technology, programming, or architecture. Moreover, teachers tend to single out children who deviate from these expectations by calling them "weird," "confused," or "abnormal" while labeling those who conform to societal standards as "normal." These labels affect self-esteem and can lead to bullying, isolation, discrimination, and even suicide among young people struggling with identity.
Unlearning heteronormativity also means redefining relationships between adults and children. Some teachers adopt a paternalistic approach where they address pupils as "boys" and "girls" instead of their actual names. In some cases, they use patronizing terms like "little boy," "pretty girl," or "cute kid." It conveys the message that men have authority over women since they represent strength and power. Besides, such an attitude promotes objectification of girls, whose value is reduced to their physical appearance rather than intellectual capability. Similarly, parents sometimes use similar phrases at home, which reinforces these harmful beliefs within children. Therefore, it is crucial for educators to recognize how words matter and adjust accordingly.
Education liberates individuals when there is no gender bias in curriculum content. Many books and other materials portray male characters as heroes who save the day and rescue damsels in distress, thus perpetuating stereotypes.
This ignores the contributions of women throughout history, including scientific discoveries, political leadership, artistic creativity, and social movements. Teachers should ensure that female figures are represented accurately in textbooks and classroom discussions so that students learn from diverse perspectives. This way, learners gain exposure to role models outside the binary categories and develop positive self-esteem regardless of gender.
Is it possible for education to liberate without first unlearning heteronormativity?
The idea that education can liberate without first addressing heteronormativity is highly debatable. Heteronormativity refers to the belief that heterosexuality is the only acceptable sexual orientation and should be upheld as the norm. This bias has been ingrained into our society's systems since ancient times and permeates various social structures such as religion, law, and popular culture.