Gender stereotypes are prevalent throughout childhood, from toy cars to Barbie dolls. One influence on gender stereotypes is peer interaction.
How do parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents influence gender stereotype?
Gender stereo typing actually begins the minute find out whether the child is male or female. We are finding out the sex of our children before they are born, thanks to new technology. Every pregnant woman has a baby shower for the new arrival. The mother is told the child is a girl. For girls the baby shower theme color is pink, which by the way is a color I do not like. The toys are usually dolls, stuffed animals, pink baby book and pink rattles.
If the mother is told the child is a boy, the baby shower theme is blue and/or green. All items given are all clothes, shoes, and bedding given has these colors. Now with boys the toys are usually cars, trucks, balls, blue baby book and blue rattles.
Mothers believe their daughters to be more obedient and responsible than their sons. They also place more restrictions on daughters’ than they do on their sons (Santrock, J; Lifespan Development, chap.8, pg. 18)
It is believed that Fathers’ show more attention to sons than daughters (not necessarily true). Father become protective of their daughters and sees them as fragile. Fathers are engaged in more sport activities with their sons and see their sons’ un-fragile and masculine (Santrock, J; Lifespan Development, chap. 8, pg. 18).
How do peer groups influence gender stereotype?
Parents begin the process of gender roles. Their peers later join this process by modeling masculine and feminine behavior. When children play in a way that the same sex group, feels is appropriate to their peers will tend to reward and except the child. But they often reject those they feel play in a manner that is more characteristic to the opposite group. If a girl comes into the same sex group, but her favorite toy is a car or football, she is immediately judged and unwanted in the same sex peer group. At the same time she isn’t a boy so it is highly possible the opposite sex group will reject her also (Santrock, J; Lifespan Development, chap. 8, pg. 19).
As they grow into their teen years there becomes more than two groups; feminine, masculine, and equal. I have to say my youngest daughter has gotten along with boys more than girls. She wears her pink and purple, but very active in sports, very rough, and does not doll herself up to fit in. My oldest is the total opposite. What I find interesting is my grand-daughter. Mom will have her all dressed up, matching clothes, girlie shoes, hair put up, etc. When she gets to my house she changes her clothes. She will both take either her pants or her shirt off and put a different pair (unmatching) on. She will take the pony tail out and shake her hair (this she learned from me). I let her do it. Her style is going to be her style no matter what anyone tries to do. This is on that list that makes me proud of her. 3 years old and she knows her personality and what makes her feel comfortable.
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