How to Raise a Feminist Child

When you raise a feminist child, you teach her to be self confident, independent, sensitive to everyone and support a harmonious world. Follow these steps to raise your child with an appreciation for gender equality.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Educate yourself about the feminist movement. Read "Feminism: The Essential Historical Writings" by Miriam Schneir so you can explain to your child the fight for women's rights from the American Revolution to the present.

2. Talk to your husband about treating you as an equal. How you two interact will have a strong impact on his behavior when he grows up.

3. Teach your feminist daughter to fix gadgets, understand car engines and how the plumbing works. Teach your son to cook, clean and sew.

4. Raise your kids to understand that everyone deserves a career and the joy of childrearing. Describe the ideal household as two parents who work part-time and spend quality time with the kids.

5. Find new ways to describe how they look, act or behave. A boy's shirt can be pretty while a girl can be strong.

6. Get your teens involved in women's causes. Learning about equal pay and woman empowerment helps them combat oppressive stereotypes promoted by the media.

7. Have your kids write stories from the point of view of a character of the opposite sex along with illustrations. Bind the "books" and add them to your bedtime reading library.

Tips & Warnings

• Raise your kids on modified fairy tales. Make princesses smart and princes sensitive.
• Find role models for positive feminist action like their grandmother fighting for equal pay or their aunt protesting discrimination against women at work.
• Don't deny gender stereotypes. Instead, explain why they're inaccurate and unhealthy.

[treefrog9871]

on 7/2/2008 Wonderful ideas! I especially love 5 and 7.