Understanding The Impact Of Gender By Imagining The Self As The Other Gender: A Role-Play Writing Assignment

Abstract

To encourage students to think about and understand the considerable role gender plays in their lives, a writing assignment early in a gender course asks them to consider the impact of permanently becoming the other gender.  Students’ papers were examined for particular themes, which were used to illustrate course concepts and to spark class discussions.  For example, some students wrote that they must learn how to be the other gender, which leads to a discussion about the sources of gender differences.  Other themes as well as suggestions for expanding the assignment are discussed.