Gendered parenting and gender role attitude among children

Abstract

In a society rife with gender stereotypes and discrimination, children frequently learn to accept gender roles that are not necessarily equitable to all genders. Many factors during childhood and adolescence impact children’s beliefs and actions about gender roles. These attitudes and behaviors are typically acquired and reinforced at home. Most research on gender socialization place greater emphasis on typical growth and average patterns across children. The present study investigated how gendered ideas and actions of parents influence their children’s attitudes about gender roles. The study examined gender stereotypes held by children about different concepts like occupation, appearance, play, and responsibilities, and how family contributed to their development. Data was collected from ten participants (of age between 4 and 6 years) from Kozhikode district, Kerala, India, using a semi-structured interview. The data was transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed. The study found that children had a solid gender-stereotyped viewpoint on all of the factors examined and that children make gender-stereotyped decisions, attitudes, and perceptions from a very young age. Role modeling and promoting distinct gendered behaviors are found to be the two ways through which parents and families impact children’s gender development. The present study has demonstrated that certain types of exposures from the family influence children’s learning of conventional gender roles. Society must establish a more gender-equitable context that will preserve the future psychological, social, and professional development of children.