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How to avoid creating gender stereotypes in children

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Dec 8, 2023, 13:50 IST
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​​Parents can help children break free from gender roles​



To stop gender stereotypes from being perpetuated in children, parents need to be open-minded and teach their kids that everyone is equal. It is inappropriate to raise kids with gender-specific habits, ideas, colors, or characteristics. Parents should teach their kids that all genders are capable of doing any task. Practicing an equal-gender mindset is the only way to foster one. Raising children in a household where the male member views the female members as inferior and disregards them as equals makes gender stereotypes unavoidable. The following elements can assist in dispelling gender preconceptions in kids:

2/6

​​Teach them young​

Children often learn life values from parents. Letting the son sit after his day at school while asking the daughter to get water for him is one such example of setting a poor gender bias. The guy will grow up to think that women are supposed to do all household chores. Meanwhile, the girls should be motivated to go out and get groceries or lift objects accordingly. Parents can divide up household chores and parenting duties in homes among their children.
3/6

​​Not buying gender specific toys​

Aashmeen Munjaal, ​Ontologist, Relationship & Mental Health Expert says, "Gender stereotypes in marketing are being exploited for financial gain, and many people point the finger at the growing gender gap in children's toys and clothing. For instance, girls are market targeted for dolls and makeup, while boys are for building toys and cars. Through play, children acquire critical social, emotional, and physical life skills. Playing with a range of toys offers chances to hone and expand on well-rounded abilities, like empathy and spatial awareness. Let your child choose their own toys, be it a pick unicorn!"
4/6

​​Studying in co-ed schools​



While there is nothing wrong with same sex schooling, children can have opportunities to engage with kids of the same age and kids of other genders if they are in a co-ed. By giving these opportunities, a child despite their gender can choose sports teams and other organized extracurricular activities that are open to all. Kids are frequently divided into gendered groups in single-sex schools which creates a bias in them from a tender age. By interacting with each other, the extremely masculine energy in boys is minimized, but females are also urged to engage with boys and break free from the stereotype of "girls should be girls”.

5/6

​​Learning by example​



Children learn about gender roles from what they see their parents doing. Since actions speak louder than words, children who witness their parents being fair and dividing household work fairly—rather than just hearing about it—are more inclined to reject the idea of traditional gender stereotypes. When it comes to damaging sexist beliefs, such as the idea that women should do more housework even when they have full-time jobs, parents should set an example of language and conduct that challenges these stereotypes.

6/6

​​Promoting playing with different genders​



Gender segregation in kids is ingrained in society and can lead to discriminatory behaviors like prejudice against individuals who belong to different genders. Parents should stop separating kids based on gender, and throw mixed-gender birthday parties, among other things.According to research, kids who have deep friendships with kids of different genders have less sexist and more favorable views about the gender of their friends.

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