Schools 'should teach feminism in the classroom'

Girls should be taught feminism at school to stop them being disrespectful to each other, according to a leading academic. By Graeme Paton, Education Editor They should learn about strong female role models and gender equality amid fears many girls are too negative about their own sexuality, it is claimed. Dr Jessica Ringrose, a lecturer in the sociology of gender at London's Institute of Education, said many schoolgirls defined themselves according to male desire. In a study, she said girls often used sexualised language, calling each other "whore" or "slut", and boasted about being good at sex. They felt that "everything was at stake" if they did not appear sexy or feminine towards boys. To combat this, she said space should be found in the curriculum to discuss feminist issues, boosting their self-respect. She said... [read full story]