Gender identity has been a hot topic in recent years. But to what extent does it apply to early years practice? Research evidence suggests that it is crucial.
Adults often subconsciously treat boys and girls differently, unintentionally reinforcing gender stereotypes. This happens through our interactions, the language we use and even the books that we share.
Seventy four per cent of parents agree that boys and girls are treated differently. Yet most educators have never received any training on challenging gender stereotypes (Fawcett, 2020). This matters because gender inequality can have long-lasting negative effects.
The gender pay gap, the lack of women in STEM professions, and the harm caused to men by ‘toxic masculinity’ – all of these things can be traced back to rigid ideas about gender, which we can work harder to undo during the early years.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here