Get Your Students Hired
One thing I would like people to be aware of is the impact of body image in job performance. As the past lesson made us aware, movement and "floating" is important in "claiming the classroom." I wonder how many of us are aware that many women can feel more self-conscious about movement? Studies have found women "self-objectify" (see themselves through the eyes of others) more than men, and this can actually impair their motor functions. I am sorry I don't have the studies off hand. I am bringing it up because it is not always as easy as learning new physical scripts in the classroom. Sometimes it is necessary to identify and counteract negative social influences that are at the root of our discomfort.
Sheri
I think you point is not only valid in relation to gender but also in relation to age and subject matter. It is a more specific observation of our general topic.
I have found that women of different generations often view these issues in more general agreement than when compared with women of different generations, Often younger women have not had a similar experience to those women who were trail blazers and assume that what their experience is is the only experience. I try wherever I can to ask students with experience to share some of it with our class and I respond in kind. Afterwhich, I point out that no matter how different the experience, the validity lies in the perception of the individual who has lived it.
I see this in subject matter as well. As a Chef Instructor, there still exists a de facto prejudice which favors men as experts in the field. Often students preceive female chefs giving instructions as mean and male chefs giving the same instructions in like manner as tough. Once recognized, I often not just change delivery styles but also call attention to the possibility that as a women in a powerful position it might play into how the information is preceived. Even raising the issue generally has been effective in seeing a shift with my students perceptions.
Thanks for an insightful and enduring post.
Hi Susan - interesting observation!
Do other forum participants have same or different observations - please share/
Thanks,
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Very interesting thread. I become more stern and authoritative just by donning my chef uniform. I am a different, softer, more feminine person outside the kitchen. There is a definite double standard that remains, as I am perceived as "mean" while males who say/act the same are "professionals". On a daily basis students address me as "maam" whereas the men are always addressed as "chef".
I had not consciously identified that. But I guess I do understand it.
One thing I always do to help with the self confidence? On the first day of class, I make sure I wear one of my favorite outfits. An outfit that I know flatters my skin tone and eyes. My eyes look bluer and I smile more. And preferably an outfit I am comfortable in. One that allows me to "float" without feeling tense. Then that is the first impression the class has of me. And it sort of sets the tone for the entire 10 weeks!
I've experienced how splitting my focus between self-consciousness and my message can bring down a 'brain fog' that puts me into an auto-pilot kind of presentation. I also recall interactions when my 'ego' seemed to drop away and the topic was the only focus. It seemed, at that time, that the students and I were in a reciprocal, energetic exchange rather than a one-sided delivery (lecture). Our focus and energy are not just communicated to students - it seems we share this with students. I'd like to learn to generate this kind of energy by forgetting about myself but trying to 'forget about myself' puts my focus back on me - the opposite of what I'm trying to do.
Hi, Hope...I know exactly what you mean about dressing conservatively while teaching to the point of being overly modest. I have worn slacks and blazers for years to look businesslike and appear "authoritative." I finally broke down and wore skirts in the summer because of the Florida heat. I have found in the professional world that people do not take a female professional seriously if she is attractive. This is upon an initial meeting. I am sure this comment will open up a can of worms!
Another observation. Female students address me as "Dr." while males students address me as "Ms." Has anybody else observed this? Thanks! Chyrisse
I respectfully disagree that it has more to do with general self- confidence and gender roles although that certainly may be a part of it for many women. My original point dealt with a phenomena called "self-objectification." In this culture, most women are socialized to obsess on their appearance. There is an old cliche "tell a man he looks awful and he thinks he must look awful. Tell a woman she looks awful and she thinks she IS awful." This preoccupation with appearance can literally affect how a woman performs on a daily basis. I am including an Alternet article that talks about the studies where girls who self-objectify have a harder time throwing soft balls. The split in concentration caused by self-consciousness affects their physical coordination. The article also refers to the studies where women who take math tests in their bathing suits had lower test scores. There were no differences in test scores for men who took the tests in their bathing suits. Sorry I don't have the time to hunt down the original studies, but this article makes its point fairly well:
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The solution is to realize how unrealistic the media images are. Attractiveness, health, charisma, and leadership skills come in packages much much more diverse than what is represented in MSM. Those images focus on deliberately create dissatisfaction to sell products, they intentionally undermine the self-confidence for health self-esteem!
I find it has more to do with general self-confidence. Women who are not comfortable in their role in the authority position may have more trouble.
Very interesting point to bring up and quite valid. I have always been a very effective teacher with a natural style that includes constant moving throughout the class and loads of eye contact. However when I first began teaching, I dressed in professional attire and it served a distraction to the culinary students within the class. My first term teaching adult learners my reviews from the students were filled with comments regarding my physical appearance. Upon these reviews I was given a uniform (chef's jacket, lab coat) to wear while teaching. This helped the problem greatly. Because there was no longer a focus on my physique, the students were able to take in my teaching.
Hi Hope! Thank you for your observation! I have even found across the board that first and subsequent impressions are often greatly influenced by what people outwardly see and hear - it is imperative that we as instructors and leaders by example of every gender and background present a demeanor of professionalism in appearance, dress, language, articulation and actions.
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
As a female in American Society, we are judged by what we look like. It is difficult to lecture sometimes when you see students looking you up and down.
As a result of this, I have been teased about my extremely conservative clothing. I do find that it helps to dress this way, as I do like to walk through the class as I lecture.
That is a very interesting point - I had not considered that. I think it holds merit.
Hi Sherie! This is an important and well-stated point. Our self-perception, as you note, is based on how we see ourself as well as how we think others see us (and sometimes there is a fine line between the two). It has a crucial effect on our body language and the way we present ourselves. Culture, mindsets, attitude, customs, mores, values and stereotypes all enter into the process. I suppose self-awareness of this is the first step.
If you happen to run across any resources, I would love to read some more about it.
Thanks for your observations!
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator