Breaking Stereotypes: The Role of Youth in Promoting Gender Sensitivity

The School of Business & Management (BBA), in collaboration with the Centre for Counselling and Health Services (CCHS) at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organized an insightful session titled “Breaking Stereotypes: The Role of Youth in Promoting Gender Sensitivity” on 14th October 2025 in Classroom No. 2313. The session was conducted by Ms. Lama Abbas, BBA Counsellor, and was attended by first-year BBA Honours students. The session aimed to help students understand gender as a social construct, challenge stereotypes, and explore the crucial role of youth in promoting inclusivity and equality. The School of Business & Management (BBA) has been continuously committed to promoting gender sensitization and inclusivity through such awareness-driven initiatives. The department ensures that discussions on equality, respect, and representation remain integral to student development, aligning with CHRIST University’s vision of fostering holistic education and social consciousness.

The framework of the session was rooted in Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, Carl Jung’s concept of the Collective Unconscious, and Karen Horney’s Theory of Personality, all of which emphasize the shared human characteristics that transcend gender. By integrating psychological theories with interactive activities, the session created a dynamic environment that encouraged introspection, discussion, and empathy among students.

The session opened with a brief discussion on the concept of gender, exploring its social and cultural dimensions, and highlighting how stereotypes shape attitudes and behaviours. To create a relaxed and engaging atmosphere, Ms. Abbas began with a short, self-composed song titled “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus,” which humorously captured the socially constructed distinctions between men and women. This creative introduction set a light-hearted yet reflective tone for the session.

An engaging activity based on Freud’s concept of Free Association followed, designed to uncover unconscious gender biases. Students participated in a timed word-association game where they had to respond instantly to words such as “beauty,” “ambition,” “caregiver,” and “engineer.” The exercise revealed how quickly societal conditioning influences thought patterns, prompting meaningful discussions about implicit bias and the importance of conscious reflection in challenging stereotypes.

The session then delved into Carl Jung’s idea of archetypes, particularly the Anima and Animus—the feminine qualities within men and the masculine qualities within women. Students explored these traits within themselves by identifying attributes they possessed from both spectrums. Boys were asked to list their feminine traits, while girls reflected on their masculine ones. The ensuing discussion was both engaging and eye-opening, as students realized that qualities like empathy, strength, and ambition are not gender-bound but universally human.

To deepen this understanding, participants analyzed the popular Seagram’s “Men Will Be Men” advertisement, which sparked a vibrant debate on how media reinforces traditional gender norms. The conversation transitioned into the idea of modern masculinity and feminism, emphasizing that both men and women should enjoy equal freedoms and opportunities. Students reflected on how their generation could lead the way in dismantling stereotypes and advocating gender sensitivity.

The final interactive segment, “What’s in Her Purse,” provided a playful yet powerful learning experience. Boys were asked to explore the contents of a woman’s purse, while girls explained the purpose of each item. This activity not only broke social taboos around topics such as menstruation but also fostered empathy and understanding of everyday gender experiences.

The session concluded with a reflective summary linking all the discussions and activities to the broader goal of building a gender-sensitive and inclusive society. Students were encouraged to be agents of change by challenging bias and promoting equality in their personal and professional lives. Reading materials and resources were also shared to help participants engage with the topic more deeply. This session proved to be an enriching experience that combined psychology, reflection, and interaction to break stereotypes and inspire youth to champion gender sensitivity.