Discuss some ways to reduce gender stereotyping in young children
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: Because young children’s cognitive limitations lead them to assume that cultural practices determine gender, parents and teachers are wise to try to delay preschoolers’ exposure to gender-stereotyped messages. Adults can begin by limiting traditional gender roles in their own behavior and can provide children with nontraditional alternatives. For example, parents can take turns making dinner, bathing children, and driving the family car, and they can give their sons and daughters both trucks and dolls and both pink and blue clothing. Teachers can ensure that all children spend time in mixed-gender play activities and unstructured pursuits, as children’s behavior tends to be less gender-typed in these contexts. Finally, adults can avoid using language that conveys gender stereotypes and can shield children from media presentations that do so.
Once children notice the vast array of gender stereotypes in their society, adults can point out exceptions. For example, they can arrange for children to see men and women pursuing nontraditional careers and can explain that interests and skills, not sex, should determine a person’s occupation. Research shows that such reasoning reduces children’s gender-biased views. By middle childhood, children who hold flexible beliefs about what boys and girls can do are more likely to notice instances of gender discrimination. And a rational approach to child rearing promotes healthy, adaptable functioning in many other areas as well.
You might also like to view...
According to the discussion of sexual scripts,
a. nontraditional couples are especially likely to use sexual scripts. b. the current North American sexual script says that men should take the lead in a sexual relationship. c. sexual scripts are descriptions of how biological factors limit sexual activity. d. sexual scripts are highly similar throughout the cultures of the world.
Following in the path of Spinoza, Fechner believed that:?
a. ?only matter existed b. ?only consciousness existed c. ?consciousness is as prevalent in the universe as is matter d. ?bodily and mental events were parallel to each other and therefore did not interact
Which of the following statements regarding Gardner's theory of intelligence is TRUE?
A) Gardner asserts that all eight of his identified intelligences exist in every individual. B) Gardner argues that a school curriculum focused on reading, math, and science is sufficient. C) Gardner argues that giving children choices will cause them to ignore their weaknesses. D) Gardner believes that education will have little impact on a child's innate intelligence.
Which of the following statements about loss of bone strength in middle adulthood is true?
A) Loss in bone density usually begins in the early twenties and accelerates in the thirties. B) Environmental factors do little to slow bone loss in postmenopausal women. C) Loss of bone strength causes the disks of the spinal column to collapse. D) By the end of middle adulthood, women have lost 70 percent of their bone density.