Gender roles and stereotypes

This subtheme contains clips and stills from the My Place TV series, teaching activities and associated student activity sheets. These resources reflect the changing expectations and attitudes for male and female characters over the period of time of the series.


  • Discrimination [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    2:25

    Discrimination [Episode 2 | 1998 : Mohammed]

    Mohammed and Danielle are discussing the fact that she can't play on the boys' cricket team. While Mohammed and his family are moving into the new house, Michaelis and Omar discuss why playing cricket is more important than playing soccer, which leads to a play-off for the rent money.


    Food and chores [Episode 3 | 1988 : Lily]

    2:05

    Food and chores [Episode 3 | 1988 : Lily]

    Lily and her cousin are working in the family restaurant, creating rice-paper rolls. The rolls are tricky and delicate to make and need an experienced hand. Phoung is congratulated for her skilful making of the rolls and Lily is embarrassed by her efforts.


    The card collection [Episode 4 | 1978 : Mike]

    2:48

    The card collection [Episode 4 | 1978 : Mike]

    Mike needs to borrow $50 in order to buy the carburettor that Ben's brother needs for his performance car. But no one in the family will lend him the money even though he is prepared to sell his beloved card collection.


    The 'Tippy' [Episode 4 | 1978 : Mike]

    1:35

    The 'Tippy' [Episode 4 | 1978 : Mike]

    Mike learns from his father, Michaelis, that the 'Tippy' is different since returning from the Vietnam War. Regardless of difference, Mike regards the Tippy as his genuine best friend.


    Courting [Episode 7 | 1948 : Jen]

    2:49

    Courting [Episode 7 | 1948 : Jen]

    Jen and her friends are fantasising about the attractiveness of movie stars and royalty and rating them between one and ten. The girls only rate Wal as a three or four, which makes Jen feel that her friends would not approve if she told them about her mother's affection for him. She realises the inevitable when she sees her mother's engagement ring.


    Impact of war [Episode 10 | 1918 : Bertie]

    3:25

    Impact of war [Episode 10 | 1918 : Bertie]

    Evelyn, Bertie's sister, receives news of the death of Freddie Miller. Bertie laments the death of his father and Freddie; both killed in the war. He tells Sid, an Aboriginal soldier, about his plan to buy his brother Eddie a present on his return from the war and they devise a plan to raise the money to purchase the gift.


    Games from India [Episode 11 | 1908 : Evelyn]

    3:10

    Games from India [Episode 11 | 1908 : Evelyn]

    Evelyn, her brother Edward and their friend Freddie Müller are playing an imaginary game under the tree. They are pretending to be tiger hunters in India. Miss Müller tells them about tigers and their inability to reverse down trees. Evelyn's father brings home the Mr Wong's 'No. 5' assortment of fireworks to be used on cracker night.


    Chores and punishment [Episode 11 | 1908 : Evelyn]

    1:34

    Chores and punishment [Episode 11 | 1908 : Evelyn]

    Evelyn's brother Edward taunts her with the prospect that their father will punish her for being irresponsible about the fireworks. Evelyn needs to complete her chores by five o'clock. She is eventually saved by Miss Müller's generosity.


    Founding the ALP [Episode 12 | 1898 : Rowley]

    2:08

    Founding the ALP [Episode 12 | 1898 : Rowley]

    Rowley and Tom Müller visit Mr Merry when he is convening a meeting of the newly formed Labor Party. They are discussing the development of a new brickworks and are concerned with protecting the rights, health and safety of workers. Rowley and his mother discuss Rowley's father and his employment at the brickworks.


    Victoria's family supper [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    2:53

    Victoria's family supper [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    Alexandra's father is talking with his Irish tradesman who is instructing him to hide a dead cat in the roof of the house for luck. Victoria calls her father for dinner. At dinner, Victoria's mother is talking about her 'at home' invitation and who has accepted. She pauses to check Miss Müller's arrival and comments on the appropriateness of her work.


    The horse and carriage [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    2:39

    The horse and carriage [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    Miss Müller is picked up by the newly furbished horse and carriage owned by the Müller Horse & Carriage Company. Victoria follows the carriage until Miss Müller is let off at the cemetery. Victoria runs into the Irish tradesman and learns that her father is having financial difficulties. This is also confirmed when she arrives home to hear her parents arguing.


    Night projection [Episode 15 | 1868 : Minna]

    2:39

    Night projection [Episode 15 | 1868 : Minna]

    Minna and her friend Adelaide steal Mr Wong's lantern from his house. They use the lantern to frighten the neighbourhood boys by projecting an image onto the tent the boys are spending the night in.


    Making amends [Episode 15 | 1868 : Minna]

    Minna and Adelaide confess to stealing the lantern after Mr Owen refuses to return it to Mr Wong. Minna's father has her make amends for her transgression by working for Mr Wong - a punishment that Mr Owen finds inappropriate.


    Working together [Episode 16 | 1858 : Ben]

    2:39

    Working together [Episode 16 | 1858 : Ben]

    Ben and Leck work together to repair Mr Owen's broken clock. Leck corrects Ben on the truth behind the ugly stereotype he learnt from Mr Wilson.


    Torment [Episode 17 | 1848 : Johanna]

    2:15

    Torment [Episode 17 | 1848 : Johanna]

    Johanna carries out a variety of chores around town. While delivering vegetables, she overhears a piece of gossip about her father. The local boys tease and attack her because of her bright-red hair.


    My father's house [Episode 17 | 1848 : Johanna]

    2:39

    My father's house [Episode 17 | 1848 : Johanna]

    Johanna asks a number of locals about her father but is concerned by the inconsistencies in the information she receives. When she confronts her grandmother about her father, she is given just one enigmatic fact. Johanna's aunt dresses her down for her pranks.


    Horsewhipping [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    2:15

    Horsewhipping [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    Mr Owen has Davey demonstrate whip cracking to his grandsons but then gives Davey some sad news about his favourite horse, Duchess. Despite Davey's protestations, Duchess is headed for the tannery.


    The bushranger [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    2:53

    The bushranger [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    While out walking Duchess, Davey and Alice witness a bushranger on the run from some local soldiers, and they misdirect the soldiers to ensure his swift escape. Davey is confronted by the Owen boys who tease him about the imminent fate of Duchess.


    The shooting [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    2:39

    The shooting [Episode 18 | 1838 : Davey]

    Davey is on the run with Duchess but has his preconceptions about bushrangers challenged when he witnesses them shooting Mr Owen and stealing from him.


    This little piggy [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    2:15

    This little piggy [Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]

    Alice and her family are delivering food to the indentured convicts working at the stone quarry when they have the idea of organising a pig race for the half-day holiday.


    Fencing [Episode 20 | 1818 : Charles]

    2:15

    Fencing [Episode 20 | 1818 : Charles]

    Unlike his posh older brother John, Charles is enjoying building a fence on the farm. At the end of the fence line he encounters Liam, a convict who is on the run. Liam asks Charles to bring him some food and boots.


    Being a lady [Episode 20 | 1818 : Charles]

    2:39

    Being a lady [Episode 20 | 1818 : Charles]

    Charles' mother educates him on the difference between Sarah and 'a lady'. Charles steals some of his mother's clothes in order to create a disguise for Liam but is surprised when Liam uses the disguise to gatecrash Sarah's wedding.


    Sarah's life [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    2:15

    Sarah's life [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    Sarah is dropped off at her new place of employment but makes a poor first impression on her new employer, Mrs Owen. While doing her chores she meets Mrs Owen's sickly daughter Alice.


    Seashells [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    2:39

    Seashells [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    After their outdoor adventure, Sarah and Alice have a moment of companionship but it is quickly ruined when Alice exerts her power over Sarah's position.


    Little drummer boy [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    2:53

    Little drummer boy [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    Waruwi takes Dan's boots while he is in the water but does not find them to be very comfortable. Observing the camp of the marines, Waruwi is fascinated by one of their musical instruments.


    Yabbies [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    2:53

    Yabbies [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    Barangaroo and Mung collect yabbies for the cook-off. When Barangaroo returns to the camp she finds that Mung has gone missing in Mumuga country, so she and her friends go searching for him.


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