Gender Stereotypes

When parents are asked whether they treat their children differently, what do you expect the response to be? In fact, a staggering 88% of moms admit to treating their sons and daughters differently (Futterman). Do these results surprise you? While shocking at first, this data actually does coincide with our culture well. From nursery colors to sleepover “ground rules” to curfew times, boys and girls are treated differently their whole lives. Although many claim that parents treat their sons and daughters more or less equally, there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that parents do hold different views of and expectations for their children depending on gender.
A 2017 study led by Jennifer Mascaro looked into how fathers interact with their daughters and their sons differently. The researchers found that

“As a society, we see men as stronger,” argues mother-of-four Stef Daniel. “We see men as more capable of dealing with problems or trouble when it arises. We give men kudos for being able to stay safe in the face of danger.” Girls, on the other hand, are something that must be protected. From an extremely young age, boys are “tumbled and bounced in the air”, while girls are “coddled and princess-ified” (Futterman). Of course, these views extend to adolescence as well. According to a study from the Washington Post, one of the most common fears held by a teenage girl’s parents is that their daughter will get pregnant at a young age. On this same list, however, the fear of a teenage son impregnating someone is only number 9 (Daniel). “The double standard,” argues Daniel, “is obvious.” Overall, girls are treated as pretty and delicate, whereas boys are seen as rugged and given more freedom. This is true despite the fact that teenage boys are far more reckless than teenage daughters in various ways (Daniel). Daniel sums it up well when she says that “We protect our daughters. We permit our