| When it comes to talking about gender, society | | | | encourage both girls and boys to keep their rooms |
| perceives that boys play with plastic popguns and toy | | | | clean, fold their own clothes, and put their shoes in |
| cars while girls play with dolls and floral patterned tea | | | | place. Parents switching chores also helps prevent |
| sets. And whenever boys play with dolls and girls play | | | | gender biases. Fathers can do the cooking or ironing. |
| with guns or toy cars, most parents would feel uneasy; | | | | And mothers can take the trash out or wash the car. |
| shock and some might even get angry. Some parents | | | | This will prevent children from thinking that some |
| might even respond by forcing their children to play | | | | household chores are only done by boys and others |
| with toys that they think their children's gender should | | | | by girls. This will also allow children to do what they |
| play with. | | | | want to do. |
| But studies have shown that children, who were | | | | Parents can also teach gender sensitivity to their |
| stripped of gender biases when growing up, can | | | | children when they are watching a movie or TV |
| explore all possibilities and even grows up to be well | | | | shows. They can ask their children to count the |
| rounded adults. Thus, not limiting their toys to their | | | | number of boys and girls in the show or movie. They |
| gender is actually beneficial for them. This will even | | | | can also if there is a difference in how girls and boys |
| help your children reach their full potential. Removing | | | | act. They can also act the number of characters who |
| gender stereotypes will allow your children to explore | | | | were aggressive or violent. And ask them how many |
| and develop latent gifts and talents. | | | | of the aggressive characters boys were. Parents |
| Gender is said to be biologically determined but | | | | should ask their children which character they want to |
| psychologist believe that gender identity is also | | | | be and why. And lastly, parents can ask their children |
| determined by other factors like the environment and | | | | what they like about the show and their reactions to |
| how parents, relative and peers treat children. And | | | | the show. |
| children are said to develop the concept of gender | | | | These questions can help introduce the issue of |
| identity at a young age. Gender stability is established | | | | gender sensitivity to children. They also help promote |
| when the child has already established his/her gender | | | | equality and instill in your children the values of being |
| identity. They will then develop gender typical | | | | sensitive to other people's natures, as well as a sense |
| behaviors. | | | | of personal responsibility. This will allow your children to |
| But in this times when society have already dictated | | | | think for him or herself and not rely on other people's |
| what is male and female, and how male and female | | | | opinion all the time. |
| react, is it still possible to raise children who are not | | | | Removing gender biases can also help children to |
| sexist in their points of view? Is it possible to raise | | | | express their emotions. Boys can break out in tears |
| children who can have respect for both males and | | | | and girls can show assertive behavior in venting |
| females? The answer is YES. | | | | frustration. This will also help boys to become more |
| The way parents and teacher interacts with children is | | | | nurturing and compassionate. And courage and praise |
| crucial in forming bias free outlooks, attitudes, and | | | | will be instilled in girls. |
| actions in children. For example, parents should | | | | |