a A new study reveals that the gender pay gap starts at an early age, with boys receiving, on average, 20% more pocket money than girls. A gap of £2.20 a week may not seem dire, but the message behind it is important.
Treating children differently from such an early age is a powerful indicator of their worth, their strengths, and what is expected of them in adulthood. may give Here are 10 other ways girls can be taught to underestimate themselves.
clothes
It is not an exaggeration to say that it is an innate problem.recent viral images of Two baby glows hanging side by side Revealed a dramatically different message in store. “I’m super” was emblazoned on the blue version, while the purple version read, “I hate my thighs.” As they grow into early childhood, boys’ clothing tends to be more durable and functional, with pockets and sturdy fabrics, while girls’ clothing is flimsier and focuses on appearance rather than activity. It is designed.
toy
From soft bunnies and dollies tucked into the arms of little girls, to robots and building sets more commonly offered to boys, we subtly recognize that we are expected to be passive, cuddly, and nurturing to girls. When a little girl sees a chemistry set in the “boys” toy section of the store, she receives the message that science is not for her. However, boys are taught from a young age by sex and heteronormative toys. They are expected to participate in household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare.
books
Despite the great recent campaigns to improve the diversity of children’s literature, many early childhood books are written in a way that the lovely white mummy stays at home, baking cakes and taking care of the children. We’re giving our readers a story about a nice white daddy who goes off to work. , creates a sense of what is ‘normal’ or ‘expected’ before one begins to consider one’s future life choices. With titles like “How to be Gorgeous”in the equivalent “clever way” of boys.
tv set
A Geena Davis Institute study of gender in media that analyzed 275 American children’s television shows revealed that 30% of the characters and 20% of the narrators were women. So subtly let children know that boys are the main event and girls are more often observers or window dressing. We’ve shown you can send subtle messages about possibilities. She normalized the idea that only a quarter of the characters employed on the show were women, and that men were expected to be the primary breadwinners.
advertisement
A 2012 Munch Bunch ad featured a girl staggering in red high heels and jewelry and a boy holding a broom over his head with the slogan “Grow like Mom, Be Strong like Dad.” was drawn. It was a perfect example of how advertising can guide children’s aspirations and teach them how they should expect to be evaluated later in life.
party theme
Even at children’s parties, the pink aisles are full of princess and fairy party bags, conveying a clear message about the roles expected of girls and boys. On the other hand, more adventurous pirate and superhero themes suggest that boys are active and in control.
action
Not all influences are external. It is also common for parents and other adults to socialize their children from an early age to subject them to certain gender stereotypes. but the girls are told to stay still and scolded for soiling their clothes. have been found to be more likely to speak up in the classroom.
disguise
One story that always sticks in my mind is the story of a mother whose toddler daughter grabbed a toy stethoscope on the playground. Another parent immediately jumped in and cried. Nursing, of course, is a great career option, but would the same reaction have been evoked by a 2-year-old boy? are regularly offered a choice such as nurse or nurse. hairdresser costumethe little boy chooses from jobs such as cops, firefighters and doctors.
Praise
How often do we compliment a girl as cute, pretty, or beautiful, or a boy as smart, strong, or smart? Repeatedly, the idea begins to take hold that girls are judged on their looks and beauty, while boys are more about action and intelligence. Few girls go into their teens without hearing someone ridicule them at least once for doing something “like a girl”.
money management
The early gender pay gap isn’t the only thing the study of children’s pocket money reveals. It also revealed that parents were less likely to allow girls to control their finances. Boys are given regular payments and taught to manage their money, but parents are more likely to keep girls’ money until they need it or buy items on their behalf. Therefore, children learn from childhood that men control their purse strings and women are less likely to control their own finances.
Of course, these issues are not the only disasters. Parental choices and television programs do not socialize children into stereotypical gender roles. Nor is anyone suggesting that forcing girls to wear only blue clothes, or offering all boys only dolls, is the solution. Therefore, giving children the widest possible choice, eliminating unnecessary gender segregation in marketing, and improving the diversity of children’s entertainment will have a greater impact on their futures than we can imagine. There is a possibility.