Educating Children to be Gender Sensitive

When it comes to talking about gender, society perceives that boys play with plastic popguns and toy cars while girls play with dolls and floral patterned tea sets. And whenever boys play with dolls and girls play with guns or toy cars, most parents would feel uneasy; shock and some might even get angry. Some parents might even respond by forcing their children to play with toys that they think their children's gender should play with.

But studies have shown that children, who were stripped of gender biases when growing up, can explore all possibilities and even grows up to be well rounded adults. Thus, not limiting their toys to their gender is actually beneficial for them. This will even help your children reach their full potential. Removing gender stereotypes will allow your children to explore and develop latent gifts and talents.

Gender is said to be biologically determined but psychologist believe that gender identity is also determined by other factors like the environment and how parents, relative and peers treat children. And children are said to develop the concept of gender identity at a young age. Gender stability is established when the child has already established his/her gender identity. They will then develop gender typical behaviors.

But in this times when society have already dictated what is male and female, and how male and female react, is it still possible to raise children who are not sexist in their points of view? Is it possible to raise children who can have respect for both males and females? The answer is YES.

The way parents and teacher interacts with children is crucial in forming bias free outlooks, attitudes, and actions in children. For example, parents should encourage both girls and boys to keep their rooms clean, fold their own clothes, and put their shoes in place. Parents switching chores also helps prevent gender biases. Fathers can do the cooking or ironing. And mothers can take the trash out or wash the car. This will prevent children from thinking that some household chores are only done by boys and others by girls. This will also allow children to do what they want to do.

Parents can also teach gender sensitivity to their children when they are watching a movie or TV shows. They can ask their children to count the number of boys and girls in the show or movie. They can also if there is a difference in how girls and boys act. They can also act the number of characters who were aggressive or violent. And ask them how many of the aggressive characters boys were. Parents should ask their children which character they want to be and why. And lastly, parents can ask their children what they like about the show and their reactions to the show.

These questions can help introduce the issue of gender sensitivity to children. They also help promote equality and instill in your children the values of being sensitive to other people's natures, as well as a sense of personal responsibility. This will allow your children to think for him or herself and not rely on other people's opinion all the time.

Removing gender biases can also help children to express their emotions. Boys can break out in tears and girls can show assertive behavior in venting frustration. This will also help boys to become more nurturing and compassionate. And courage and praise will be instilled in girls.