In our parents generation, before an ultrasound could more accurately see the sex of a baby, people had to wait until their babies were born to know if they should pick the name Carl or Camilla. As we rapidly approach 2020, however, our hindsight is getting weak. From early conception, people dissect and discuss the embryo's sex as if it will determine everything in life, from the moment they are born.
With early testing at a geneticists lab, to parties where the parents-to-be surprise one and other (and guests) with balloons popping out of a box, or a cake cutting moment that involves pink or blue innards, it seems like we're obsessed with our baby's possible gender more than raising them. . With so much of a better understanding of the difference between sex (our genitals) and gender (a spectrum of mental states), you'd think that society would be less interested in gender stereotyping babies, but, you'd be wrong.
According to Science Daily, gender stereotyping is happening as early as birth. Yes, that's right, people are stereotyping babies before they can even sit up on their own. In studying this newborn bias, some of the results included adults thinking babies with higher pitched cries were girls or feminized, and that their higher pitched cries made them more difficult.
But how do we break this cycle?
Obviously, if you have a baby, it's easy to stop emphasizing their gender since they are just little perfect babies. But, as our kids get older, keep these pieces of expert advice in mind.
Encourage mixed-gender playdates, and expand the range of activities for each gender. Boys and girls who play together tend to engage in more varied activities. We have three sons, and they all have best friends who are girls.
Question all generalizations. Encourage your child to talk to other kids as individuals in specific situations rather than as representatives of their gender. A favourite refrain around our house is "colours are for everyone!"
Tune in to your own biases. Moms and dads themselves, of course, may be clinging to outmoded stereotypes, in both their thinking and their actions. This can be tough, as we don't even realize we're doing it all the time.
Remember, there's no right or wrong way to break the stereotypes, and we're all learning as we go. You're doing a great job!
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