I'm Glad...

Today I was creating a list of activities (from reference material I have) that will help people (mostly men) come in better touch with many aspects of their own gender norms (and the impacts of those norms on other people). Many people are unaware of the actions the take just because of their own, deeply internalized gender norms. Here is an example activity (takne from a book on male engagement):

1. Separate the participants into same-sex groups.

2. Give each group a sheet of newsprint and a marker. Ask the participants to come up with as many endings as they can for the following sentences:

• Male group: I’m glad I’m a man because…
  
• Female group: I’m glad I’m a woman because…
  

3. Give the groups another sheet of newsprint, and ask the participants to come up with as many endings as they can to the following sentences:

• Male group: If I were a woman, I could… 
  
• Female group: If I were a man, I could…
  

4. Tape the sheets on the wall, and discuss the responses by asking the following questions:

• Were any of the responses the same for both genders?
  
• Was it harder for members of either of the gender groups to come up with reasons they are glad of their gender? Why do you think this is? 
  
• How does the first set of responses of one gender group compare to the second set of the other gender?