Explain to participants that the left side of the tape represents the day they were born, and the right side of the tape represents today. Tell them they are to write at least three key events in their lives that brought awareness to them about their gender on their lifelines. A male remembers he was not allowed to play dress up with his female cousins. A female remembers that she had to wash the dishes every night because she was told that dishes were girls' work. After participants complete their lifelines, ask them to form groups of four.
Record responses to questions four and five on flip chart paper.
Recording participants' responses will serve as good reinforcement. Some participants may feel that their gender lifelines contain basically negative experiences and messages. Find friends and supportive adults who have similar beliefs about gender. Use self talk to counteract negative messages about gender. Try critically analyzing media images about gender with friends or family.