Beyond Pink and blue of gendered stereotypes

Humans tend to stereotype people from the moment they open their eyes, we tend to put people into predefined roles without reflecting on their needs, inclinations and desires. Consciously or unconsciously we tend to do the same with our kids, where we push them toward roles that we think are best for their gender.

The early learning of male-female categories is characterized by rigid beliefs about stereotypic differences, which may limit the development of a child.

Children acquire basic gender categories and learn to apply gender to a wide range of stimuli with remarkable facility. By age 3, children show some awareness about objects and activities. Between 3 and 6 years, knowledge of child and adult activities increases rapidly. Between 3 and 6 years, knowledge of child and adult activities increases rapidly. Gender stereotype knowledge of personal–social attributes emerges at approximately 5 years of age and increases steadily throughout childhood. Thus, by the time children enter elementary school, they have extensive knowledge about what objects, activities, and traits are linked to being male or female.

A good example could be colour association, traditionally, clothes for children were white as it was easier to bleach but later on, advertising agencies coded the colour blue for boys and pink for girls. Unconsciously, parents impose their sense of societal norms on the kid, which may narrow the way children perceive their roles.

The society tends to pressurise boys into being ‘strong’ and ‘independent’ whereas girls are pushed towards being ‘nurturing’ and ‘pretty.’ However, this attitude can be effectively tackled since the children show remarkable flexibility in their learning capabilities, unlike adults who are very rigid in their mindset it is easier for children to adapt and change.

This children’s day we must aim to break gender stereotyping from childhood itself. Here are a few innovative ways you can explore to do so:

• Practise gender sensitivity at home: You can practise gender sensitivity by explaining to your child that domestic chores are a life skill and not limited to a specific gender. Look at ads like the one depicting the ‘need for gender sensitivity at home,’ a part of the TATA Tea Jaoge Re Campaign. A mother is seen reinforcing the message to her daughter that housework is her duty while the son is allowed to play outside. The message it ends with ‘Inequality gets learnt. Equality needs teaching.’ a powerful message that is brought to life by the audio-visual medium. Parents should constantly aim to show children to media that can effectively help build a balanced world view.
• Role modelling: When parents share domestic chores, children will look beyond what is supposed to be ‘man’s job’ and ‘a woman’s job’. It’ll help open up the perspective that no chore is beneath a gender, thus encouraging the break away from gender norms. You can search for the #StepUp campaign. It encourages individuals from age six to sixty to post videos which show how gender stereotypes are broken. This will inspire you.
• Gender-neutral dolls: Looking at how children play with toys that fall into gender stereotypes gives us a window on children’s developing sense of what goes along with being a boy or a girl. Exposing your children to toys that are considered feminine and masculine is important so that they are in a position to choose what they want without being stigmatized for their choices. Keeping this in mind Mattle has introduced the ‘Creatable World,’ a line of gender-neutral dolls for children across the gender spectrum. The kits allow children to customise based on different skin tones, hairstyles and accessories to inspire play options among children across genders. It helps breaks the taboo that dolls are only for girls.
• Gender agnostic toys: The potential power of words and images to counter gender stereotypes and open up what children see as possible interests and activities for themselves. And experts say that those choices are significant because they can influence the skills children learn and the possibilities they see for themselves. Smartivity’s toys like ‘Pump It Move It Hydraulic Crane’ and ‘Roller Coaster Marble Slide’ helps children learn everything from greater ratio to centrifugal force. It can spark curiosity across the gender spectrum about the world of science and math.
• Gender bender theatre: Introducing children to the fluid gender-based theatre opens them to new realities. Plays like ‘Cinderella Sangeet,’ staged by Samahara in collaboration with Kites and Nine Pins gives the fairytale a new spin. It inspires children to think for themselves on breaking free from gender norms inspired by society.

Often the images children see can reinforce stereotypes and limit their horizons, but they can also open up new possibilities and lead kids to believe that they have more choices. While growing up children are actively seeking clues about what their gender identities mean. Toys and play should ideally give them that space, not restrict their choices. This children’s day, we urge all parents to look beyond conventional gender roles and empower their children to live to their full potential.

At Interweave Consulting, one of our focus areas is gender sensitisation. We help organisations sensitise their employees on the issue of gender bias through participatory theatre, face to face workshops and other innovative devices.

To know more about our offering write to us at interweavesolutions@interweave.in or call us at 80 4148 2787.

By – Sandra Sebastian & Vidushi Kala