How Gender Roles Affect Modern Children

Gender Stereotypes in Families

Many parents raise their sons and daughters differently. This all starts before the child is born. At a gender reveal parties or baby showers, the sex of the child is depicted by one of two colors: blue and pink.  Parents of a newborn child tend to gender stereotype their children with these colors. Parents will paint their son's rooms blue or green or will choose pink or purple for their daughter's nurseries. Boys are dressed in blue or are given a blue blanket from the hospital, while the girls are dressed in pink and take home a pink blanket. 

Little boys are given toy cars, lego building blocks, or superhero action figures. Young girls, on the other hand, are given dolls such as barbie, animal figurines, or items typically found in the house such as a kitchen set. Gender stereotypes are extremely prevalent in these types of toys, as boys are taught to want to grow up to have more labor-based jobs, while young girls are taught to strive to have jobs that are more focused on caring for others such as their children. 

These images show the stereotype of older brothers being obligated to protect their youngest sister is very prevalent in my life. I believe that this emphasis on masculinity is very toxic to children, as young boys are taught to be more aggressive than their sisters. This is present in the pictures above. It is also emphasized that girls, on the other hand, do not need to learn to protect themselves, as they will always be supported by their male counterparts. This stereotype is taught to young girls that they are unable to care for themselves. This is not how children should be raised. All children should be taught they are equal to one another. In addition, all children, no matter their gender, should be raised to be able to protect themselves, rather than relying on another person. 

In the New York Times article, “Breaking Gender Stereotypes in the Toy Box”, the author uses an example from Dr. Spinner, stating, “there is also research to say that when the lines are drawn too strictly, children’s worlds become not only more divided but also more limited. Traditionally masculine toys like blocks and puzzles, Dr. Spinner said, encourage visual and spatial skills, while traditionally feminine toys encourage communication and social skills” (Klass, 2018). Toys targeted specifically toward boys are made in colors such as blue, grey, green, or black. Toys made for girls are made in bright colors such as pink and purple. 

Klass, Perri. “Breaking Gender Stereotypes in the Toy Box.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 5 Feb. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/02/05/well/family/gender-stereotypes-children-toys.html.

Luscombe, B. (2017, September 20). Gender Stereotypes: Kids Believe Them By Age 10. Retrieved from https://time.com/4948607/gender-stereotypes-roles/.
Weber, Brandon. “A Simple 8-Panel Cartoon on Toy Choices for Boys and Girls.” Upworthy, Upworthy, 1 June 2019, www.upworthy.com/a-simple-8-panel-cartoon-on-toy-choices-for-boys-and-girls.