Gender Roles

Questionnaire

Where are gender roles learned?
Gender roles are learned from the parents and from society. If boys play dress up, they get made fun of. If girls play football or get too dirty, they are called Tomboys and other girls make fun of them. When kids are younger, the gender roles are more easily something to laugh about and kids are more able to be themselves, but as they get older, people make assumptions and judgments about gender based on the way you talk, dress, act and who you hang out with.

Do you see that most children conform to the gender role norms placed upon them?
Parents often dress their children in colors and styles based on gender, and from a very early age use phrases like, “that’s not lady-like,” and “man up.” It is easy for children to conform because they want to make their parents happy and fit in with their friends and others. Some children are more able to just be themselves, regardless of fitting in,   but the majority stick with the status quo.

What are the potential problems that arise for a child who doesn’t conform?
As mentioned about, children won’t be welcomed into play by their peers, may be made fun of by adults and children, and may be stuck with labels, such as those that reference their future sexual orientation.

Please provide examples of verbal or non-verbal communication.
Verbal communication relates to speaking words, whining, crying, and tone/inflection of voice. Non-verbal relates to gestures, waving off, motioning, body language, etc.

Which is used more, and why do you think that?
With babies, verbal communication is most commonly used through crying, whimpering and cooing, because they don’t have language skills. Non-verbal is also used by grabbing, reaching and touching. Young children use both types of communication, although the verbal is more concrete than in adults. Non-verbal is used in gesturing and helping out, something young children enjoy. It is also used in goofing off, inciting... [continues]

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