Why Does Gender Matter?

The early gender bias experiences that children encounter can shape their attitudes and beliefs related to their development of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, access to education equality, participation in the corporate work world, as well as stifling their physical and psychological well being. For early childhood educators, being aware of the effects of gender stereotypes is particularly critical, because concepts of gender identity are sometimes placed on children even before their birth, with the selection of paint colors for the nursery, for example. Preschool educators can help children develop a positive sense of their own gender. By equipping young children with positive messages of  empowerment regardless of gender, in addition to the critical thinking skills to identify stereotypes, teachers and families can impart in children self-concept resiliency, even when faced with negative stereotypes. Those children will then be less likely to perpetuate the stereotypes and can help end the cycle of prejudice. Includes recommendations for teachers, administrators and teacher educators.