Some differences are neutral.
Stereotypes which reinforce differences between groups are maintained precisely because they do reinforce privilege. A group's power or lack of power affects the classroom environment by replicating our society's power relationships. Our gender and race shape our behavior toward others who are like us and different from us. Males may clearly reinforce male privilege by their use of space and language. Backlash and resistance to women's issues and women's studies may be explained in part both by devaluation and by perceived threat to male power and privilege.