How do I teach my kids about gender?

Children Develop Gender Identities Through Observational Learning The effect of cartoon movies on children's gender development Abstract Cartoon movies which are necessary sources of fun for children also have educational aspects. Innocent display of cartoons which give many subtle messages include various negativities. One of these negativities is related with the characters’ gender. Characters in cartoon movies include females, males, animals and inanimate objects. This study, “The Effect of Cartoon Movies on Children's Gender Development”, will analyze these cartoons in which complicated gender role models are presented critically and propose some solutions to this problem. Keywords Gender animation children

Movies that defy gender stereotypes - enables children to see a wide range of male and male characters, displaying a range of traits, behaviour and beliefs. Princesses and superheroes are great, and kids -- no matter their gender! -- love them. But child development experts agree that kids need to see a wide range of characters, displaying a range of traits, behaviors, and beliefs, in the media they consume. Why? These are some of our favorite movies that do just that.

Social Learning Theory Explained It’s common knowledge that kids often mimic adults and peers. Parents have been delighted but also embarrassed when their kiddo modeled their behavior in public. Social learning theorists have proposed various theories about the complexity of learning. Psychologist Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory expanded on the available learning theories of the time. He believed the behaviorists didn’t have a complete theory that social learning required, and neither did the cognitive models. According to him, they didn’t take into consideration how social variables influenced behavior. His Bobo doll experiments helped him make the connection between social observation and new behavior responses from individuals who had not learned the behavior before. What Is The Main Idea of Social Learning Theory? With the Social Learning Theory, Bandura describes how people can learn something new by observing the behavior of other people and applying rational mental behavior. Step 1: Attention

Traditional gender roles: Boys will be boys A new video and website asks viewers to confront their assumptions about gender identity, and how we're raising our sons and daughters. Photo: GrabillCreative/iStockphoto Have you ever caught yourself saying, “boys will be boys”? Maybe it’s after your seven-year-old son and his buddies traipse through the house in muddy boots, leaving a trail of dirt in their wake. Or maybe you watched two little guys duke it out on the ice during a hockey game, and didn’t think much of it. If this sounds like something you’ve said before, then you’re making assumptions based on gender norms — probably without even thinking about it. “My younger son was drawn to more domestic play and loved the colour pink, but he very quickly realized that he was not supposed to like those things,” says mom, filmmaker and Ryerson professor Laurie Petrou. As a response to her sons’ experiences, Petrou has created a new, four-minute video (see below) all about gender identity and breaking down gender norms.

How parents influence sex differences in their children's physical risk taking behaviors Abstract This study examined how parents influence sex differences in young children's physical risk taking behaviors. Eighty three- and four-year old, mostly middle class and Caucasian children climbed across a five-foot high catwalk and walked across a three-foot high beam under their mother or father's supervision. Based on average preschooler gross motor capabilities, both of these activities posed potential threats to preschoolers' physical safety without proper parental monitoring. Analyses revealed that fathers of daughters monitored their children more closely than did fathers of sons. In contrast, mothers of daughters and mothers of sons monitored their children similarly. Keywords Risk taking Parental socialization Injury prevention Injury Gender socialization Sex differences View full text Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Inc.

Learning Gender roles through observations Magdalena S. Palencia: Modeling Behavior: Little Versions of Us. From the moment they are born, children learn by observing their surroundings. Those close to the child are constantly participating in the process of learning. Children will notice those around them and will use them as an example of how to model their behavior. Children will imitate or copy their parents, in the way they talk, gesture and conduct themselves. Many parents lightheartedly refer to their children as little versions of themselves and from a modeling perspective this holds true. Modeling good examples for children will not immediately mark a turning point in the child’s behavior. A simple way to see the value of consistency and modeling at work is when parents teach their children to greet others. Considering the role modeling plays in a child’s life, parents should expect other persons who will spend time with their children to exhibit the kind of behavior they wish to see reflected in their child.

How children acquire knowledge on gender role and identity  through social learning theory. 'Boys shouldn't act like girls and girls shouldn't act like boys' Carter, D. B., & McCloskey, L. A. (1983–1984). Peers and the maintenance of sex-typed behavior: The development of children's conceptions of cross-gender behavior in their peers. Social Cognition, 2, 294-314. Gender stereotypes Gender Identity Development in Children By: Jason Rafferty MD, MPH, EdM, FAAP There are many ways parents can promote healthy gender development in children. It helps to understand gender identity and how it forms. What's the difference between gender and sex? Being a boy or a girl, for most children, is something that feels very natural. Self-recognition of gender identity develops over time, much the same way a child's physical body does. How does gender identity develop in children? Gender identity typically develops in stages: Around age two: Children become conscious of the physical differences between boys and girls. During this same time of life, children learn gender role behavior—that is, do­ing "things that boys do" or "things that girls do." The point is that all children tend to develop a clearer view of themselves and their gender over time. What parents can do: All children need the opportunity to explore different gender roles and different styles of play. How do children typically express their gender identity?

Social Learning Theory: Gender Development |… | Psychology Social Learning Theory states that individuals develop gender by imitating role models. SLT states that observational learning takes place, and that this learning is reinforced vicariously. Vicarious reinforcement occurs when a person witnesses a model being rewarded for behaving in a gender-appropriate way (e.g. a girl being praised for playing quietly with her dolls). Vicarious reinforcement makes it more likely that the model’s behaviour will be imitated in the future.