Gender Roles & Stereotypes
...notions of
gender-stereotypical expectations and roles? Gender roles and boundaries can be
comforting and provide guidelines for people; however, these roles are both limiting and
constraining in today's rapidly changing society. Infants begin with many similarities; they are born incompetent-- needing comfort, food, and warmth from a capable adult.
While some studies and theories have found that gender differences are based in biology and evolution, socialization, both parental and societal, creates gender differences that become thoroughly ingrained in our children. This paper will focus specifically on how stereotypes prevalent in socialization, modeling, clothing, room decor, toys, and television influence children as well as introduce the benefits of creating a non-sex stereotyped environment.
Gender stereotypes in infants are perpetuated by society's expectations and
perceptions. Societal influences, preconceived notions and expectations enforce
already existing gender stereotypes. Society's gender stereotypes increase during the
preschool and childhood years, reach a plateau, and decrease in adolescence (Vogel,
Lake, Evans, & Hildebrandt Karraker, 1991). In the study of forty-eight children, their
mothers, and 16 college students, gender based stereotypes influenced interaction with
infants which in turn socialized the infants to conform to their respective gender role.
Ratings of the female infants centered on their small size and beauty. Male infants are
judged usually according to their ability and intelligence. While evidence of gender
stereotyping in infant ratings are becoming less dominant after adolescence, sex
stereotyping in adults' behavior towards infants has changed little. Obviously, society
shapes the gender stereotypes that both children and adults hold.
Parental expectations put pressure on offspring to...
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