Explain the process of gender socialization and identify specific ways in which parents contribute to the process

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

From birth, parents act toward children on the basis of the child's sex. Baby boys are perceived to be less fragile than girls and tend to be treated more roughly by their parents. Baby girls are thought to be "cute, sweet, and cuddly" and receive more gentle treatment. Parents strongly influence the gender-role development of children by passing on both overtly and covertly their own beliefs about gender. When girl babies cry, parents respond to them more quickly, and parents are more prone to talk and sing to girl babies. Children's toys reflect their parents' gender expectations. Gender-appropriate toys for boys include computer games, trucks and other vehicles, sports equipment, and war toys such as guns and soldiers. Girls' toys include "Barbie" dolls, play makeup, and homemaking items. When children are old enough to help with household chores, they are often assigned different tasks. Maintenance chores (such as mowing the lawn) are assigned to boys whereas domestic chores (such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning the table) are assigned to girls. Chores may also become linked with future occupational choices and personal characteristics. Many parents are aware of the effect that gender socialization has on their children and make a conscientious effort to provide nonsexist experiences for them.