Conversation Questions
Gender Roles

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

  • Is it common for women and men to take part in sporting activities? Do they take part in the same type of sporting activities?
  • In you home, who does the cooking, cleaning and household chores?
  • Is it possible for women to join the army in your country?
  • Is it compulsory for men and women to join the army in your country?
  • Do women swear a lot?
  • Are there more male or female managers and executives? Why do you think this is?
  • What jobs do men do and women not do in your country?
  • Who is regarded as the head of the family?
  • Should boys and girls be brought up differently?
  • Should boys and girls be treated differently on the part of the parents?
  • What would happen if your parents changed their place for one day?
  • How would the world look like without men?
  • How would the world look like without women?
  • When a woman and a man are together, who does most of the talking? What makes you think so?
  • Can a man and a woman be only friends?
  • Do men/men friendships differ from women/men or women/women friendships? How?
  • Who do you think has life easier, girls or guys? Why?
  • Do you see yourself as a typical man/woman? Why or why not?
  • What things can men or women do that the other cannot do and why?
  • In your country
  • What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?
  • What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?
  • Are fathers capable of carrying out the duties of a mother and vice versa?
  • Who is regarded as the head of the family?
  • Who do the children go to for emotional support? For financial support?
  • Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?
  • Should boys and girls be brought up differently?
  • What habits are deemed as appropriate for women but not for men?
  • What behaviors are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
  • What jobs are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
  • Are more doctors female or male in your country?
  • Are more nurses female or male in your country?
  • Are more professional musicians female or male in your country?
  • Are more teachers female or male in your country?
  • Are there more male or female managers and executives? Why do you think this is?
  • What type of clothing do men wear?
  • What type of clothing do women wear?
  • Can men wear women's clothing or can women wear men's clothing?
  • Can men wear pink clothes?
  • Is it OK for men to cry?
  • Is it OK for women to cry?
  • Is it OK for men to appear sad?
  • s it OK for women to appear angry?
  • Is it OK for men to appear weak?
  • What would people think of a man who backs down from a fight?
  • What would people think of two women involved in a fist fight?
  • Is it OK for women to swear (to cuss)?
  • Is it common for women and men to take part in sporting activities? Do they take part in the same sports? Are there famous women athletes?
  • Do you think it's permissible for a woman to show her face to a stranger?
    If you can think of another good question for this list, please add it.
    http://iteslj.org/questions/

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