Persuading children to grow apart from making the same preconceived choices that fit in with an obsolete model of men’s and women’s roles in our society is not easy, but it is the responsibility of every parent, teacher and guardian. Women continue to earn less over a lifetime for the same work the world over, and men are confused about their role in society and face internal and external barriers to considering careers not fitting in with “men’s work.”
Every level of our society makes assumptions based on stereotypes, which leads to unfair judgments regarding individuals and groups. Stereotyping starts in early childhood. It is planted in the home (girls like baking cupcakes, boys like breaking toys), and cultivated over the child’s school life (girls like poetry, boys are better at math).
It is important that parents and educators alike understand that young children are particularly susceptible to stereotyping. Simply defined, stereotyping is a mechanism to categorise or typecast individuals and groups.
According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, three to six year old children are in a preoperational stage of thinking, focusing on what they can see; they are likely to form stereotypes about others based on observable characteristics, material possessions, preferences etc.
While there are a variety of ways to teach children to avoid stereotypes, such as stern confrontation of discrimination and name-calling, activities promoting tolerance, respect and appreciation of others, self-observation and awareness etc, the real education must start at home. Following are five very basic pointers to keep in mind while teaching your kids to shun gender stereotypes.
Don’t assume boys have weaker vocabulary: It’s a myth that boys have inherently weaker vocabulary than girls. There is virtually no difference between boys and girls when it comes to verbal abilities. This stereotype possibly rose because the general idea that reading is not a “boy thing” to do.
Arm your children against stereotype threat: More often than not it is stereotype threat that has a dampening effect on a person’s performance. Girls and boys can suffer extra anxiety if they are aware of the negative stereotyping of their groups.
Don’t overprotect daughters: Parents tend to discourage girls from taking risks by underestimating their abilities. It explains why our society is quicker to intervene when they see a woman is about to do something “risky.” Encourage girls to take reasonable risks; this gives them confidence and helps them grow and thrive.
Let your son develop empathy: Boys are as caring as girls; they may have different patterns of behaviour, and communicate more through action, but they are capable of being as empathic as girls are. Parents often encourage boys to make choices that are associated with masculinity, which can be damaging to a growing child’s natural caring ability.
Protect your daughter against her teacher’s anxiety: A report published in “Proceedings of the National Academies of Science” claims that female teachers who show anxiousness in math can pass that attitude to female students, in her treatment of her class. According to the study, girls who began to believe boys are naturally better at math yielded lower grades. Talk with your child so they understand that these abilities are not inherent but nurtured.
There are many ways to teach children to get around stereotypes, but this teaching has to start from an early age at home, and it has to be present in schools. The society at large can then change from the inside out. Stereotyping children from an early age can be crippling for the child in today’s world.
German Cultural Centre is taking a strong stance against the pitfalls of stereotyping this month with a cultural programme. Anybody is free to participate by sending in a piece of writing (be it a monologue, poetry or rant) sharing their thoughts and/or experiences. Successful pieces will receive an open platform at the event “Open Secrets: Stereotypes.” Send in your work (in English or Bengali) to German Cultural Centre via email by August 31, 2013. Email your work and a brief description at program@dhaka.goethe.org and title your email as “Submission for OPEN SECRET: STEREOTYPES.”