Developing a Gender Stereotype in Children

Gender stereotypes are a set of beliefs about the characteristics that fit into women and men. Generally after child birth parents tend to give unequal treatment of boys and girls. Over time these differences would also appear on haircuts, clothes and kinds of toys, and others. During the period of child development and adult peer groups provide support for this distinction. The boy is believed to tend to the dominant, aggressive, and independent while girls tend to be caring, patient, and dependent.

Girls and boys learn gender roles through imitating or observing, for example by observing what people do and say. Through the child's parents learn about gender roles, which is why old ornag said to be the most influential figure in the development of gender. Several factors can influence the formation of gender stereotypes in children are:

1. Parent Influence
   Mothers and fathers are psychologically play a role in gender development of children. Mother is consistently responsible for the care, while fathers more involved in the interaction of playing with the kids and instill responsibility for a boy or girl obedient to cultural norms. Unwittingly, the father is an important part in the development of gender on a mother because fathers tend to react differently in boys and girls.
2. Peer Group Influence
   Peer groups tend to support the child untukterlibat in activities appropriate to its type. Groups tend to denounce the children involved in games that do not correspond to their gender. Such demands will only become more prominent towards adolescence.
3. Effect of Schools and Teachers
   When entering the school-age children know and believe that there are some stereotypes sperti work, personality, and the desire to achieve. There is a belief that boys are superior in math and athletics, while girls in art lessons, music, and skills. These gender stereotypes mneguatkan ank-child behavior in school-age girls who are not prominent in math.
4. The Mass Media Influence
   Various news is presented through the mass media can be influential in the development of gender.

To reduce gender stereotypes in children can be done in different ways by parents. For example, parents help children to better understand the gender roles of men and women. Parents should appreciate anything that kids do not because he is male or female. For example, a woman can be president and can also understand why a father can also take care of her children at home, preparing food and others.

Children also need to be aware of the non-stereotypical gender in society. Although gender roles in society differ between men and women but that role may change depending on circumstances and needs. For example, many found the scope of work or men career occupied by women. In this case the parents need to explain the reasons for the selection of career interests and skills that better define the selection of a person's career.