As conflicts surrounding gender discrimination issues in our society intensify, young citizen's interest in these matters is also growing. However, in school settings, various obstacles—such as student tension and conflict, lack of institutional sup...
As conflicts surrounding gender discrimination issues in our society intensify, young citizen's interest in these matters is also growing. However, in school settings, various obstacles—such as student tension and conflict, lack of institutional support, and backlash against teachers—make it difficult to effectively conduct lessons on gender equality/discrimination. Particularly in recent ‘gender conflicts,’ modern sexism is becoming increasingly prominent.
Modern sexism refers to the belief that traditional gender discrimination has been resolved and no longer exists in modern society. It is accompanied by hostility toward those advocating for gender equality and government policies aimed at actively redressing discrimination. The logic of this modern sexism is underpinned by denying differences in experiences based on gender, devaluing traits perceived as gender-specific, and generalizing individuals based on group stereotypes. Therefore, to address the perspective of modern sexism and effectively tackle gender discrimination issues in educational settings, an approach based on empathy education for differences can be considered.
Even if a gender equality education program is designed based on empathy for differences, considering the social context of gender discrimination issues, it is necessary to verify the actual implementation patterns and effectiveness of the program. To develop effective programs, they must be improved through cycles of application, reflection, and revision. Therefore, this study aimed to design a social studies program on developing gender equality awareness through empathy for difference and develop a program implementable in educational settings using action research methods. The research question of the research is: How should a program to improve modern sexism in secondary school social studies be structured using empathy for difference?
To develop the program, the main logic of modern sexism was analyzed. The logic could be challenged through empathy for individual differences within a group and empathy for the differences in experiences as group members. By analyzing prior research on gender equality education programs utilizing empathy elements, critical points were derived regarding learning content, learners and constraints, teaching methods, and outcomes. Based on this, development criteria for a ‘Social Studies Program for Gender Equality Awareness through Empathy for Differences’ were established. Using these criteria, specific lesson activities were designed, making empathy for individual differences within a group and empathy for differences in experiences as group members the core elements and objectives of the lessons.
This study implemented the method of action study. The program was completed through three execution at a co-educational high school in Seoul. Three-session program was finally completed. The implementation period was from October to November 2025, involving three participating classes. During implementation, field data were collected, including participant observation notes taken during each session, student worksheets and learning journals, and class PowerPoint materials. Following the lessons, interviews were conducted with a total of nine students selected based on observation and worksheet content. Qualitative analysis of the collected data identified the effectiveness and areas for improvement in each implementation, and improvement plans were developed for use in subsequent implementations.
The main findings of this study are as follows.
In the first implementation, students participated as active agents in the class by exploring their own hobbies and experiences. Through activities comparing stereotypes with individual characteristics, they recognized and empathized with the individual differences among group members. While sharing experiences from their hobbies, students stated they realized they could have different experiences as group members. However, during the first implementation, students experienced confusion about each concept while identifying their group and stereotypes, and they failed to recall experiences as group members, thus not exploring the social context of those experiences. Second, patterns where stereotypes about groups were maintained or reinforced were also observed. Third, there was an issue with the lack of discussion about gender. Finally, a limitation was that the diversity of students' hobbies made it difficult to form groups as initially intended.
In the second implementation, improvements were applied to address the issues from the first. The improvements included the following: First, specific examples were provided to help identify appropriate groups and stereotypes. Step-by-step guiding questions encouraged students to explore and share their experiences as group members. As a result, students shared experiences from various groups, including gender-based ones, and showed empathy towards these experiences. Second, to address the maintenance and reinforcement of stereotypes, questions were revised to focus on individual differences that defy stereotypes. The impact of stereotypes on individuals was structured for discussion. Through this, students also discovered how group stereotypes affect individuals and society. Third, to promote gender discussions, diverse examples of gender experiences were utilized, and the teacher facilitated discussions on gender experiences through circulating guidance. Students shared unexpected differences in gender experiences or contemplated ways to enhance gender equality. Finally, to enhance lesson effectiveness, hobby categories were limited to four for group formation. This resulted in easier group formation compared to the first implementation and smoother activity progression. However, even in the second implementation, some groups actively avoided gender discussions, highlighting limitations where gender discussions proved difficult depending on hobby characteristics or group gender ratios.
The final version (third implementation) improved the following aspects. First, to promote gender discussions, students' experiences were shared as examples with the entire class to discuss differences in experiences based on gender. Students demonstrated deep empathy, understanding the meaning and impact of their friends' experiences from the perspective of the individuals involved. Second, the impact of stereotypes on individuals was discussed with students in a more structured manner. Students utilized this perspective to interpret their friends' experiences as group members and empathized with the experiences of other group members.
The results of this study yielded the following implications for the practical implementation of social studies program for gender equality awareness through empathy for difference:
First, the approach aimed to challenge the logic of contemporary sexism by leveraging ‘difference’. By treating difference as a subject matter in class, students understood concepts of stereotypes, individual diversity, and structural discrimination. Recognizing that differences exist confirmed the potential for moving toward direct discussion. Second, by encouraging ‘empathy’ for difference, the program aimed to improve students' attitudes toward others and different groups. It confirmed that ‘social empathy’ occurs when cognitive empathy for others' experiences is elicited and the context of those experiences is understood. Third, utilizing students' hobbies and experiences as lesson material increased student participation. By incorporating students' own narratives, the voices of marginalized individuals were vividly addressed within the classroom setting. Addressing differences in personal hobbies and experiences facilitated gender discussions among students. Analyzing the process and outcomes of the lessons revealed a starting point for students to reduce antipathy toward other gender groups and cultivate attitudes of empathy and solidarity for problem-solving.