Social learning theory (SLT) suggests that behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation of “models”. SLT explains gender role by saying children learn their gender role primarily through vicarious reinforcement. Children are positively reinforced for behaving in gender-appropriate ways (i.e. a girl playing with a doll) and are punished for behaving in gender-inappropriate ways (i.e. a boy playing with a doll).
While boys are encouraged to be adventurous and granted freedom that is perhaps undeserved, their female counterparts will be given toy ovens and princess dolls to play with. Well meaning adults will often correct or shame a child who exhibits behaviors that are not suitable for the gender roles Ornelas 2 they are being raised to fill. Though parents and relatives mean no harm by introducing children to the societal constructs of behavior befitting their gender, these practices directly harm the child.
Treating all boys like warriors and girls like homemakers is insulting to their intelligence and abilities, and is taking too strong a stance on gender differences. Rather, subtle differences in treatment would be more suitable, such as not allowing a girl to walk alone at night, or not encouraging a boy to play with dolls. It’s ok if he does want to play with dolls (and says very little about his masculinity), but there’s no need to force it on him like a parent would with a girl. There are many situations in which boys and girls should be treated the same. Teaching a boy that it’s ok to push and shove because of his testosterone levels will probably make him more violent in the long haul, and it’s a better idea to show kids of both genders that violence is never O.K.
Parents also give their children gender-specific toys. Common toys for boys are action figures, toy cars, and balls. Girls are frequently given dolls, tea sets, and stuffed animals. Even how children are treated is based on the child’s sex. Mothers are often stern with their daughters and easy on their sons.
This makes their image more sexually inappropriate for their age. Children shouldn’t be exposed to things like this at such a young age; this is why beauty pageants aren’t appropriate for young children. Those who
The way children are spoken to, played with, touched, etc. I think the expectations from society influence the way parents raise their children. Growing up, children are completely stereotyped. For example, boys are thought to mostly play with toy trucks/cars, action figures, and tools and girls are thought to mostly play with Barbie dolls, makeup, and kitchen sets. Mainly because that stereotypical societal behavior is encouraged through advertisements on a daily basis.
The toys for girls are Barbie dolls, baby dolls, stuffed animals, and doll houses. These toys suggest to girls when they get older that they are supposed to take care of the children and to also clean the house while their husband is at work. These are some of the ways markets suggest to children what they are supposed to be interested in and also what they are supposed to do when they get older. As you can also see the toy that are for children are also very gender specific and vary for the boys and for the girls as
They also do not have the financial foundation to support their urge to spend money on the products advertised. Children are much more gullible than adults. Sharon Bedor wrote in a 1998 national conference article about her concerns about advertising to such a young age. “There are questions about the ability of children so young to understand advertising and its intent and not be deceived and manipulated by it. Experts say that children do not understand persuasive intent until they are eight or nine years old and that it is unethical to advertise to them before then.
Can parts of gender stereotype be biological? Can we link this to how children develop the ability to communicate and how they use it at a young age? There are many researchers discussing whether language acquisition between men and women are indeed different and many believe that its caused by gender bias among our society. The general concept is that we are not born with gender, but that gender is something we perform or learn to do. However, there is evidence to show that even at a young age, boys and girls that learn how to communicate, will learn at different speeds and will struggle with different aspects of learning how to communicate.
I think it is based off of the upbringing of the child. The toys determine to be appropriate might affect a child’s movement. For instance, a boy who plays with Barbie dolls would attract other female children and start developing female characteristics. Also, playing with Barbie dolls may have the potential to cause that child’s interest to be altered. Clothing plays a major role in your life.