Comments that implicitly or explicitly devalue a student simply on the basis of his or her gender can diminish a student's confidence or enthusiasm and could create long lasting impediments to academic, professional and personal growth. As a teacher, you know that even small, repeated cuts can be significant because they can be part of a pervasive and cumulative pattern of social inequality. Respect the dignity of all students. Although the effort to do this may involve some initial discomfort, it may also result in more precise communication and training. Discriminatory behavior is often not deliberate.
Most teaching assistants intend to treat all students justly and fairly.
You can effect change by carefully examining your own feelings and perceptions about the roles of women and men in society and by becoming alert to overt and subtle differences in your interactions with men and women in the classroom. Even a voluntary and welcome relationship with a student in your class may constitute sexual harassment. A romantic relationship with a student over whom you have direct grading authority may have negative consequences that you are not able to foresee. For example, if a student changes her or his mind about continuing the relationship, but feels pressured to do so, the situation may result in a sexual harassment claim. Also, other students may file a claim if they believe they are put at a disadvantage when they hear that a fellow student is dating their teaching assistant.