Defining the Roles of Men and Women
in American Society

Objectives:

1. Students will identify and document their views on the roles of men and women in society today.

2. Students will examine photographs and interpret the roles of men and women during the first half of the 20th Century.

3.Students will write a six paragraph essay demonstrating their understanding of the changes in the roles of men and women from the 20th Century through today.

Suggested Grade Level: 7th - 9th

Time Requires: 1-2 Days -- 45 minute classes

Work Packets:

• Worksheet
• Photographs

Procedure:

Teacher must apply their own school's resources to the lesson appropriately. The lesson procedure is based on the use of a computer lab in which each student has individual access to a computer.

Day 1 - 2

1. Hand out the worksheet entitled "Roles of Men and Women in America."

Ask the following question:

"What are the roles of men and women in today's society and what will be their roles in the future (21st Century)?

Have students complete the first section of the table on the worksheet together as they answer this question.

2. After students have provided an ample list of roles, ask the following:

"Do you think these have always been the roles of men and women in America?"

"What roles do you think were once different for men and women?"

3. Explain to the students that they will be looking at pictures of men and women from the first half of the 20th Century to find out what roles men and women had in the past and how they may be similar or different to today.

4. Refer back to the worksheet. Write the following directions on the board to help students access the on-line photographs:

• Go to / 
• Click on "Classroom"
• Click on "Defining the Roles of Men and Women in American Society". 
• Click on "Photographs" in Work Packet. 

At this time, teachers may want to explain to the student background information on the three cooperating institutions and their use as research centers for history.

5. Have students complete the table comparing and contrasting men and women's roles in America by carefully viewing the collection of photographs. Students may need more room than provided in order to list out what they find. This should be encouraged!!

Homework:

Write an essay describing the changes in the roles of men and women from the first half of the 20th Century to the present. Use the information organized in your table and discuss women in the workplace, men in the family, and changes in attitudes about gender in America. All of your information will be based on your interpretations of the photographs online.

Suggested Evaluation/Assessment:

 Possible Extension Activities:

1. Teacher may want to have students access pictures from newspapers and magazines which describe the roles of men and women in society and create a collage for presentation and display.

2. Teachers could organize a field trip to the Dodd Center, Mystic Seaport and/or CHS and have students research the varied roles of women in American society during World War II, the role of women in politics or at sea and women as entrepreneurs.