‘Gender Stereotyping’-Unintendedly rooted in modern families too??

Posted byAnuRijoPosted inparenting, womenTags:, , ,

In this article I’m attempting to explore the fluky gender biasing in modern parenting.. Ok, before starting let me explain the situation which made me to do this post…While searching a present for my little girls 4th birthday, my husband who knew her wish chose a box with lot of cars..’What..racing car set for girls’?? this is what you might be thinking right…??Well, my pre-programmed mind also raised a similar concern!! And it took awhile for my mind to agree with them..!!

This kind of stereotyping begins from the the moment when we welcomes a newborn to this world..Some cases even before that..!! Blue for boys-Pink for girls..Racing cars for boys-Kitchen play set for girls..well, the color coding in hospitals make sense to certain extent. However, when we go behind the gender stereotyped toys without realising the clever marketing strategies, it seriously affects our kids psychological and physical development.

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com

When we prefer a kitchen toy set for you girl child, you are unintentionally programming your kid that in a family system, cooking is the responsibility of a woman. Gender stereotyping matters when in the modern world where women acquire the role of the breadwinner and she is imposed with the household chores as well.

Recently, I happen to listen an interesting interview of a film actress, where she was asked about how she could manage both personal and professional life. And to my surprise she answered it by saying that, tonight she is going to ask the same question to all the men out there..!! Yes the statement delivered on social norms on sex discrimination was thought provoking. Sometimes this kind of discriminatory acts and words creates so much of melancholy and agony in a girl’s mind !!

Let me recall an incident from my own childhood. In our annual family meet event there used to session to congratulate the topper of any public examinations. To my knowledge, I was the topper in grade 10 public exams and was pampering my dreams of receiving the award for the merit. And to my disappointment, my name wasn’t called on the stage..Later I came to know the truth that, since I’m the daughter of a woman in the family, I can’t be considered for the award..!! Words are less to explain the feelings which passed through my little mind in those days..!

The gender stereotypes introduced in childhood are reinforced throughout our lives and become self-fulfilling prophesies. Most leadership positions are held by men, so women don’t expect to achieve them, and that becomes one of the reasons they don’t.

Sheryl Sandberg

In my opinion, it’s high time that we parents should have taken necessary actions to raise our kids as gender neutral to ensure gender equality in day-to -day life. Let’s have a look at what we can practice to swipeout the gender inequalities at least for the future generation.

1. Be a good role model for your kids : Share the household duties without hesitation. There’s no chores designed for a particular gender in a house. I know it’s hard for the male readers of this post. That’s how we were raised. However, just think about your kids future then you will feel better. We can also show them real life examples like a male nurse, a female pilot, a male chef or a female prime minister..

Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com

2. Say no to gender biased toys : I don’t think toys have a gender. When we force our kids to choose girls or boys toys, we unknowingly hinder the development of certain skills which may help your kids to succeed in their future. Our kids interest matters…!!So think twice before dressing up your girl as princess and boy as pirates for next halloween.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

3. Say goodbye to Inky Pinky Pongies : When you buy kids stuff I always try to choose a neutral color of my kids…eg: Yellow bag, Ash Boots, Black stroller..!! And by doing this you could easily reuse your girls stuff for your boy.Don’t fall for the smart marketing tactics.

Let our kids choose their favourite colours..no more inky pinkies..!!

4. Try to accept the fact that Girl or Boy both are our kids: I have seen families keeping their girl child away from the family business and smartly handling over the business to boy child. Remember we discussed about this before as well( if you don’t link follows- https://lafemina.home.blog/2020/07/08/if-a-young-blogger-malala-can-why-cant-we-malala-day-2020/). Give them equal love and care.

I strongly believe that gender equality should begin from families, from the unbiased parenting of each parent..!! Have you faced any such kind of discriminations in this modern world…??What is your parenting style? Or do you unknowingly follow any such kind of biased parenting strategies.. Let me know your thoughts on the same in the comment section below….IF you like the post feel free to share..reblog..like..follow..!!

Published by AnuRijo

I’m an aeronautical engineer by profession, artist and blogger by passion..So, you can find me anywhere between inspiring others, working on myself and nourishing my goals.. Be with me and discover more about me...😊

63 thoughts on “‘Gender Stereotyping’-Unintendedly rooted in modern families too??”

    1. Waw..you’re doing it right 😊👍🏻..lucky your daughter in-laws 😊..Hmm, except some thoughtful mommies like you all others prefer girls to help them with household chores while they serve their son with food on couches ..😇

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  2. I was saddened to read that you weren’t considered for the award because of being a girl. My boys all learnt to cook from an early age and my son actually prefers to be involved in cooking than my daughter, who hates it.
    I feel sure you will bring up your daughter to know that she can do anything and be recognized as an equal. Times are changing and older attitudes replaced by more equitable ones. Thanks for illuminating this issue and linking to my post about gender stereotyping.

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    1. I believe all that happened are for good and may be that was the fuel for boosting my courage to take up an male dominant engineering degree in Aeronautics..!!
      I’m so happy to hear that you’re successful in raising your kids independent and unbiased..and wonder how blessed and thankful your in-laws will be..😊👍🏻..being a mom of a girl and a boy, I’m looking forward to raising them without a room for gender inequalities..
      Thank you for checking back and sharing your wonderful thoughts ..keep blogging..stay safe and healthy 😊👍🏻

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      1. It’s not easy to progress in a heavily male dominant field so I wish you the best of luck. An open minded attitude will help you overcome any obstacles you face! Be that in the workplace or parenting your two children. They are blessed that uou are their Mum.

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  3. Wow. I should rate this post as 100% and more. I agree with this. And sorry about the award. Phew!.

    Yes, I love this too – no gender based chores. This is something I intend to work with too. We are equal, though infused with unique abilities. 😊

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    1. Phew.. for Award -as you said ..!!😊I just took all those as a fuel⛽️ to travel all the way up here in my life..and I’m happy that I did..😊
      I’m glad that you liked the post..yes we all are equal and if needed we should speak up too..

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    1. Yeah it’s high time for us to stand up for ourselves..and if we don’t who will..!!- we can – we will👍🏻😊..thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and the follow..I’ll make sure That I’ll be visiting yours soon..😊

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  7. I am blessed with two daughters. When they were born I thought we won’t have many things to do together because they were not boys. I was happily surprised when they wanted to play baseball and other sports. We spent many happy hours playing catch. It didn’t make their gender. I learned they can do anything. They grew to become beautiful powerful women. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Fantastic post! I highly agree with everything you’ve said. I’m not a parent myself but as a female who loves Motorsport – a very male dominated world – there’s no way I wouldn’t allow my little girl (if I had one) to play with cars and things like that. It just seems a ridiculous notion to me that boys and girls should only play with certain things.

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    1. Thank you Jenny for stopping by and sharing your experience and inspiring all others out there..😊waw Motorsport ..🥰I wasn’t that lucky…And from your words it’s very clear that you will raise amazing future generation..✅

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    1. Yeah that’s the sad truth..we can’t blame them because that’s how we all are programmed from the beginning by the society and media(clever marketing strategies)..!! A conscious effort is necessary for enlighten at least the coming generations..
      Thank you Roshni for stopping by and sharing your valuable thoughts 💭 ..have a wonderful weekend ✅

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    1. Yes we should stand up for ourselves and should make sure that our next generation is not falling for the same because society will continue to be the same until we react..thank you Shreya for sharing your thoughts..Have a wonderful day..

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  15. Totally agree! So many gender stereotypes are reinforced through the media as well, even in children’s cartoons. That definitely needs to change so kids don’t grow up feeling pressured to be a certain way or expecting others to be a certain way!

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      1. Absolutely. Many years ago, when we got married, I would always open the car door for my wife, pull out a chair for her in the restaurant and so on. Some “men” would pass snide remarks about me being henpecked etc.
        But I had always seen my Father do this for my Mom. So I did too, ignoring all these useless voices.
        That is where your post is so insightful. Children will learn what they see the parents do.
        A brilliant article. I relate so much to it.

        Liked by 2 people

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