Male Stereotypes Unpacked
What does it mean to be a male?
This is the question we have been discussing this week.
Here to help or confuse you even more we have gathered some research to let you form your own decision about male and gender stereotypes. As we are in the month of “Movember” we need to accept that all males are UNQIUE in their own way. Sometimes we might think to be a “man” is to be strong, tough and resilient. But in 2018, we now know this isn’t always the case.
Firstly
The University of Melbourne reported:
BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES. EARLY
Gender stereotyping can be tackled in preschool, promoting equality in the skills children learn and the possibilities they see for themselves. But it’s not about banning books
By Dr Tania King, University of Melbourne
We all know that children are like little detectives. They are constantly seeking to classify and categorise the world around them in order to make sense of it.
Part of a child’s development is the process of beginning to understand, and grapple with, the complex concept of gender. – university of Melbourne”
Secondly
Kari A. Dudte The Ohio State University May 2008 reported the following:
Studies show that gender role norms affect the way people act, feel, and think. They are instilled in us at an early age and can affect our day to day lives. The present study investigates the strength of gender norms, and whether one’s self-perception of the norms they relate (or do not relate) to can be effected by social influence. Undergraduate students at The Ohio State University Mansfield in an introductory psychology class took part in the study. Results were non-significant, but the trends found went in the direction of the hypothesis. With insignificant findings, it can be assumed that gender roles are relatively resistant to social influence. Weaknesses of the methodology and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Thirdly
“Our Watch” Published by Our Watch GPO Box 24229, Melbourne VIC 3001 reported the following
Introduction
Parents and children alike are immersed in a social and cultural environment that produces and perpetuates gender stereotypes – clothing, toys, television shows, books, friends and extended family members all communicate messages, explicitly and implicitly, about what is considered ‘appropriate’ for girls and boys. While this wider context has a significant influence on young children’s developing understanding of gender, research confirms that families, and in particular parents, are young children’s first and primary source of information and learning about gender.1 This is why Our Watch, with support from Australian accessories brand MIMCO, has chosen to focus on the potential for parents of young children to challenge restrictive gender stereotypes and roles, a key driver of violence against women. Parents of young children can play a powerful role in helping to drive the generational cultural change required to see an end to violence against women.
The survey
In early 2017, Our Watch conducted a survey to ask parents of children from 0 to 3 years old what they think about gender equality and violence against women, how they divide key household tasks and childrearing responsibilities within their family, and whether they believe that gender has an impact on their children. The findings
Findings
The survey found that the majority of parents believe that girls and boys should be treated the same in the early years. However, there are some complexities in the findings, as parents may also inadvertently or subtly reinforce gender stereotypes and differential treatment of girls and boys. The survey showed that parents of young girls were more comfortable with the idea of them engaging in masculine-typed play, such as playing with trucks, whereas parents of young boys had lower levels of comfort in regard to their sons’ participation in feminine-typed play, such as playing with dolls. Furthermore, more mothers were comfortable with the idea of their child acting in opposition to gender stereotypes than fathers, for example, more mothers than fathers were comfortable with the idea of their young sons crying when feeling sad. The survey also revealed that the majority of parents want to be equally involved in their young children’s lives, indicating that the previously very rigid gender stereotypes related to care-giving are shifting in today’s society. This finding highlights an important role for government, workplaces, media and others to play in helping to support these aspirations, by enabling parents to practice and promote greater equality in caring for children. We all need to support parents to create and model an environment for their children that promotes gender equality and gives children the freedom to be themselves. 5 Evidence Paper Executive Summary Importantly, the survey showed that the majority of parents want to take action to challenge traditional gender stereotypes. There are a number of ways in which parents of young children can do this, such as by being aware of the ways they may unintentionally and subtly reinforce gender stereotypes and by modelling gender equality and respect in their own relationships.
Implications for primary prevention
The survey suggests there is a positive role for Our Watch and others to play in supporting parents of young children to practice putting such strategies in place as a way to both support their aspirations of gender equality for their children and help challenge the rigid and harmful gender stereotypes that drive violence against women. Adapted from https://www.ourwatch.org.au/getmedia/e42fe5ce-8902-4efc-8cd9-799fd2f316d7/OUR0042-Parenting-and-Early-Years-AA.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf
Impression
There is no normal. There is no perfect. Human Experience shapes who we are. Gender stereotypes are shaped by society and all of the influences just discussed. Everyone is unique.
Let me ask you again…
What does it mean to be male?
Jessica Mawbey
Occupational Therapist