Make a collection of terms that you think tend to be used more by one sex than the other. If possible, collect terms in context (in use in newspapers, magazines, adverts, radio, TV, etc.) Note as many details about the context of the use, particularly spoken uses.Try the terms out on other people and record their responses. Draw some conclusions about the connotations of these words.

Try to write a description of a person which does not use gendered language or subscribe to traditional sex roles. Extend this to include some action.

Matt & Aiden

Male words

Female words

Mate – “alright mate?” Pretty – “You look pretty today”

Solid – “it was solid” Handsome – “he is so handsome!”

Man – “What's up man?” Charming – “he was very charming”

PC – “I bought a new Pc yesterday” Cute – “puppies are so cute!”

Fit – “she is well fit” Gorgeous– “he is gorgeous”

Massive – “there was a massive crash on the road”

Sis – “What’s up sis?”

Giant – “he had a giant hat” Big – “he had a really big personality

» Mate – often used by a male to talk to another male – even if they have never spoken to each other before – “excuse me mate, but do you know where…”

» Solid – often used by males aged 14-30 – used to describe someone or something – “You want to fight Bob? He is solid!”

» Man – used a lot by males – used to great another or ask another something - “What’s up man?

» PC – mostly used by males – used as a synonym for computer – “I bought a new PC the other day”

Do you agree? Discuss with your partner.

» Fit – mostly used by males to describe a woman’s figure – “She is so fit”

» Massive – mostly used by males to describe size – used because males often exaggerate things? – “That hat is massive!

» Giant – used both by males and females, but more by males – used by males because they often exaggerate things? – “He was an absolute giant”

» Pretty – used mostly by females because it is seen as a feminine word – used to describe someone’s looks; usually a female – “She is so pretty!”

» Handsome – used mostly by females to describe a males looks instead of using pretty – “He is very handsome!”

Do you agree? Discuss with your partner.

» Charming – used mostly by females to describe a man’s manners – “He is very charming isn’t he?”

» Cute – used mostly be females to describe someone or something – “That puppy is so cute!”

» Gorgeous – used mostly by females to describe a man’s looks – “He is Gorgeous!”

» Sis – used mostly by females – short for sister – “You okay sis?”

» Big – used mostly by females to describe something large – used instead of ‘massive’ or ‘giant’ – “That man is so big!”

Do you agree? Discuss with your partner.

Past – Margaret Thatcher» By being the leader of a country she did not

subscribe to the traditional sex roles.» She was the first woman to head a major UK

political party.» After this she then became the first female Prime

Minister and stayed in office from 4th May 1979 – 28th November 1990.

» She is married to Dennis Thatcher.» She did all of this while raising twin children –

Mark Thatcher and Carol Thatcher.

Present – Sarah Palin » She was the youngest and first-ever woman

elected as Governor of Alaska.» She was also the only elected governor to

resign all government positions before the expiration of her term.

» There is speculation that she will run for U.S. President in 2012

Dream up your own Margaret Thatcher or Sarah Palin. Think

about what qualities they would have and what they

would do e.g. Prime Minister, Newsreader etc.