Question

How do adults encourage gender-typed behavior through expectations and gifts? Does this toddler's desire to feed her doll reflect her genetic code, learning from peers, learning from adults, or all three?

Answer 1

Adults encourage Gender typed behaviour by having expectations about their children abilities and activities. Example: Boys are powerful or girls are good at household tasks. Boys are masculine and should be involved in athletic activities.Even though gender equality has increased, there is a difference in the treatment of girls and boys in many parts of the world. Preference is given more for boys from the food they eat to the care they receive and is a stereotyping in such families.Gender stereotyping is seen in the gifts and toys presented for the children. Boys are usually gifted with blue colour attires, action figures, vehicle toys and sports toys whereas girls are gifted with pink attires, makeup kits, kitchen sets, etc. Parents in few families feel it as alarming when his boy child plays with a doll since they feel it as feminine activity.

Gender identity is determined by the genetic, hormonal, cognitive, observational and social learning. Hence the Toddler's desire to feed her doll reflect all the three - her genetic code, learning from peers and adults.