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Gender in Music Education: Grade 6 - What Not To Wear

Part of an MEd Project

Laura Anne Smith - May 21, 2026

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This is part of a Master of Education research project called Gender in Music Education: Lessons Addressing Gender in Music in Grades K-12 (PDF 4.8 MB) completed by Laura Anne Smith.

In sixth grade, more and more students begin to go through puberty. As their bodies change, gender identity comes to the forefront of their thinking, and could even prompt a shift in their perceptions of themselves (Canadian Pediatric Society, 2023). This shift could cause students to be uncomfortable with the way they are pressured to present themselves, or even go as far as to cause gender dysphoria – the discomfort or distress caused by a mismatch between someone’s inner sense of gender and the sex they were assigned at birth (Canadian Pediatric Society, 2023). Any discomfort could be amplified by the fact that students at this age are very focused on what their peers think of them (Garey, 2024). In an interview with the Child Mind Institute, clinical psychologist Dr. Kirmayer explained that as they become more dependent on their peers, children also become more self-conscious and aware of how they present themselves to the people around them (Garey, 2024). Because they are looking for validation, students often turn to the media for guidance and validation (Abrams, 2023). This can lead them to the harmful gender roles that are perpetuated in the music industry, and sets them up to carry those gender pressures into the rest of their music careers (Davies, 2019). Some musicians suggest that educators can make a large difference in disrupting patterns by providing students with the chance to explore deeper into the industry (Ahsan, 2020).

In a study analyzing a middle school’s band program, it was found that sixth grade had more gender segregation than seventh and eighth grade (Reeder et al., 2020). This lesson pulls on that research to empower students to embrace their gender identities, as well as those of their peers, and to create a learning environment that is safe for every student to discover their musical identity. In order to combat binary gender expectations, students will be asked to analyse gendered appearance expectations for both women and men in their favourite genre of music. They will then choose an artist who breaks these gender norms and create an infographic about their career. Focusing on an artist the students and their peers connect with gives them someone to look up to, while normalising deviation from largely accepted expectations for gender performance.

Grade 6 - What Not To Wear

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will be able to name and comment on gender expectations in a specific genre of music in their every day life.
  • Students will be able to recognize artists who go against gendered expectations of their attire and appearance.
  • Students will know that there are many ways to present their own gender identity.

Materials

Lesson

Present the attached slideshow (or your own) teaching students about gendered expectations for performers’ appearances. The example in the given slideshow is pop, but students are welcome to explore whatever genre interests them. Students should learn that although the music industry wants performers to present a certain way, there can be flexibility in gender presentation in the music industry.

Activity

  1. Show students the example infographic (see below), or make your own, should you want to, or when this one becomes outdated.
  2. Students will choose a genre and analyse the expectations for gender presentation.
  3. Students will choose an artist who does not follow traditional gender roles from the same genre as step 2.
  4. Students will create their own infographic about their chosen artist.
  5. OPTIONAL: Put up some of the infographics to continuously remind students that gender presentation is flexible.

References:

Abrams, Z. (2022, February 3). Why young brains are especially vulnerable to social media. American Psychological Association.

Ahsan, A. (2020, December 15). Gender inequality in music education. InsideHalton.com; Metroland Media.

Canadian Paediatric Society. (2023, June). Gender identity. Caring for Kids.

Garey, J. (2016, February 2). Parenting tweens: Everything you should know. Child Mind Institute.

Reeder, R. (2020, April 13). Gender representation in the middle school band. Medium.