How Can Parents Promote Gender Equality At Home
Gender equality is one
of the most discussed topics in our society, but you must have witnessed that
the discussion never has an appropriate conclusion. Small things and remarks
that people have made in their daily life reveals how huge this concern is prevailing
in our country. People often exclaimed ‘Why are you crying like a girl?’ is a
repeated comment when a little boy weeps. When a child is born, our society set
different roles and boundaries for boys and girls. Even they define toys such
as dolls and kitchen equipment will always given to girls and guns and cars
toys will given to boys. As a parent, encouraging gender equality at home
starts with you.
As being the first
teachers of your children, you can inculcate values in them that will last forever.
As a parent, let your children understand that a boy and girls
should treated equally in society.
From the very
beginning of their life journey, children may ask questions about the physical
differences between a boy and girl, which may make you feel embarrassed to
answer and you may often avoid it. However, this is not the solution, make them understand and describe it in the best possible way. You can
say that no two people in the world are the same. It completely varies, some
may be tall; others are short, some dark while some fair. You should explain to
them the fact that the physical differences exist between people or two genders
man and woman because of nature, but that doesn’t mean they should treated
differently. Everyone may treated equally with equal
importance, opportunities, and fair treatment. Your child must acknowledge the
fact that except for the physical difference, there should be no other
difference in the raising of two genders. They must understand that universe
has created them physically different, but their nurturing would be the same.
Why is it Important for children to learn
about gender equality?
You can’t teach your
children about gender equality only once in life and expect them to follow the
same for a lifetime. It should be ongoing learning, a part of their daily life.
Not raising your son and daughter equally can have adverse implications. Boys
who are raised as the privileged ones in the family and have been given more
opportunities, and freedom, grow up with a perspective that they are superior
to the opposite gender in general. If a boy has been noticing since his
childhood that his mother or sister is always been working in the kitchen, he
will learn that it is the duty of a woman. Disrespecting and disregarding women
would have become normal for a boy raised with this mentality. Domestic
violence, and eve-teasing, are the fallouts of this type of mentality.
Sometimes, girls also start approving of
gender-defined roles in society. They may raise h low self-confidence, and low
self-esteem, and rely on the males in their family for protection. However, at
this age, women should be set free, and they should work on their ambitions in
their lives. If you want your child to grow up confident and kind, you must
honor them equally. Teach your son if he does something wrong and then keep
that the same attitude for your daughter too.
How to teach children
about gender equality
Teaching gender equality to your children
doesn’t need any special discussion or atmosphere. Let your children understand
by observation. Some incredible ways have been dispelled here of how you can
teach gender equality to your kids.
1.
Be an Example
Just display the type
of behavior you have been expecting from your children. As a husband and wife,
you must discuss with each other with respect, discuss the household chores,
and hold other tasks together. Let your children figure out that you work
together with mutual understanding. Let them notice that it is not a duty of a
woman t prepare dinner for everyone in the family or a man’s responsibility is
only confined to purchasing groceries from the shop. When your children witness
this, it will reflect in their attitudes as well. So, set as a good example.
2.
Both are special
Don’t reveal preferential behavior towards either the gender or
be cruel on boys and soft on girls or vice versa. Some parents raise their
daughters too differently. They are already making their mindset that they are
weak and need to be protected in all phases of their life. These parents are
harsh on the boys. If you can condone the bad behavior of the son, don’t
tolerate the bad attitude of the daughter either. Reprimand them or approve
them in the same way for their bad or good behavior.
3.
All household tasks are the same
Let the children get
hold in the household activities as per their age, equally, irrespective of the
gender. Let them help the workload with you, Both should be given some kind of
work without pointing them as the girlie work and the manly work.
4.
Watch your language
Don’t use offensive
language in front of your children especially that disparages and belittles a
female. Stop them from uttering swear words. Generally, the parents, especially
the father, condone the bad language of the son. The son must be taught that it’s
not cool and manly to swear and curse.
5.
A successful Daughter is not a replacement for a son
The girl has her place
as a daughter in the home. The typical refrain which parents have been using
for a successful daughter with many achievements is, “She is not my daughter,
she is my son.” Don’t these sound weird? saying so, you are validating her
efforts and indirectly claiming to her that sons are better than daughters.
6.
Teach your children to be independent
Teach your children
the household skills such as cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and mending
clothes, and small repair work to survive when alone.
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