Last but not least: Firefighters' wives
When children imagine firefighters, doctors or pilots, are they male or female? An experiment at a British elementary school shows how stereotypically children think.
As part of International Women's Day, the organization Inspiring the Future conducted an experiment at an elementary school in the UK. 20 children were asked by the three substitute teachers Lucy, Tamzin and Lauren to draw firefighters, doctors or pilots. The result: the children drew 56 men - and only five women.
To ensure that the schoolchildren are not later restricted by such stereotypes in their choice of profession, the organization regularly seeks volunteers to talk to the children about their professions and such prejudices. Like the three "teachers" Lucy, Tamzin and Lauren, who are actually a firefighter, surgeon and pilot.
The agency Mullen Lowe London is responsible for the campaign and supports the organization pro bono. (sis)
