Integrating Gender Equity into Community-Based Parent Education

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Abstract

To achieve gender equity in the society, one possible way is to raise people’s gender consciousness through education. Since the Gender Equity Education Act was passed and then enforced in 2004 in Taiwan, all levels of schools from elementary schools through colleges have practiced various gender equity educational programs. However, gender issues were neglected in adult learning and community settings. The purpose of this study was to develop an educational project targeted on adults in the community, especially parents of children and adolescents, to help them raise gender consciousness. A newly developed community-based parent education project integrated with gender equity principles was implemented in a county at the southern part of Taiwan during 2013 to 2014. A total of 565 adults participated in eleven lectures and four workshops, and 337 people (96 males and 238 females) have completed evaluation questionnaires. Preliminary analyses suggest that participants are highly satisfied with the project and become more aware of the meaning of gender equity. Generally speaking, this integrative adult education curriculum was helpful in raising gender equity consciousness. This paper will discuss reflections of the action practices and suggestions for future modifications.