How to Help Children Deal With Gender Bias

People are defined by their gender from the moment they are born. You hear "Boys do this" or "Girls like this." Parents, teachers and society treat boys and girls differently, which can result in bias. Gender bias and discrimination are as unfair as distinctions based on race. Help children deal with gender bias with these steps.

Instructions

1. Talk with your children about prejudice and why it is harmful. Help them identify bias against gender, race or culture.

2. Model appropriate behavior for your children. Show kids how you challenge gender stereotypes within your own life. Examine whether boys and girls differently are treated differently in your home. For example, all children should help with household chores.

3. Locate children's books that challenge stereotypes. Look for characters written against type. Recognize and discuss gender bias in children's literature.

4. Look for gender bias in the classroom. Gender bias favors girls in the early years, when they are generally more socially advanced than boys. The bias tips the other way by high school, when many girls are subtly discouraged from participating in math and science.

5. Encourage play that explores gender roles. Suggest role-playing as a means to address gender bias in actual situations.

6. Provide opportunities for your children to succeed. Success leads to self-confidence, which makes it easier to challenge gender bias.

Tips & Warnings

• Help children understand gender roles in different cultures. Teach respect for other cultures.

• Gender bias continues to be strongly represented on television. Children often emulate what they see on television. Watch television with children and identify gender bias.