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It’s 2020, and we can all probably agree that women have come a long way in the fight for gender equality. Not too long ago, women were not given the right to vote. But since then, strong women have fought for what’s right and pushed boundaries beyond imagination. Since then, we’ve come a long way, but somehow we continue to fight to be on par with men. We are conditioned to fit into a predefined role and adhere to traditional gender roles, just like the old times.
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Back in the day, the role of a woman was restricted to making a home and taking care of the family. But things are different now. Women work, pursue careers, save lives, and even run countries. Yet, when it comes to the domestic workload, they take up twice as much as the men in the house. Women are expected to balance work and home and are considered primary caregivers, while men only have to fulfill the role of a provider.
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It is difficult to break out of these stereotypical roles and barriers when we have been conditioned a certain way growing up. Therefore, it’s time to start at home. Start small and start with your kids. Teach them the importance of gender equality and feminism by setting an example in your homes, and it might bring about a sea of change. Here are a few tips for raising your kids the feminist way:
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Kids learn from what they see and not just what you teach them. Sharing the workload at home in a great place to start. When your kids see that both their parents do all the chores of the house without being confined to a set of duties, they embrace equality. From cooking and cleaning to laundry and taking care of the kids, you and your partner should take responsibility equally.
2. Talk About It
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Educate your kids about women’s rights and feminism. By making them aware of what’s lacking in the world, you are helping them pave a better way. Traditional gender roles can be eliminated from a young age if kids are taught the importance of gender equality. Ensure that you follow what you teach them and set a good example for your kids.
3. Empower Your Kids To Speak Up
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Because gender equality has existed since the beginning of time, the norm might be to ignore inequalities when you see them or know about them. But you can encourage your kids to speak up against gender inequality. Allow your kids to pursue the career of their choice, even if it is not the traditional choice. Do not stop your daughter from joining a boxing class if she is interested. Similarly, encourage your son to learn ballet if that’s where his interest lies.
4. Fight The Stereotypes, Even Your Own
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Gender inequality exists because of a social construct that has gone on for too long. It affects women to a large extent in various aspects of their lives. But if you think it does not affect men, you are wrong. Women are expected to conform to society’s rules, which can be crippling, but men are victims of gender stereotypes too. Toxic masculinity emerges from these ridiculous notions of society, and it’s time we fight them. If your son wants to play with a doll, let him without shaming him. If your daughter wants to play with an airgun, do not stop her. Try to dissociate inanimate objects, colors, and duties to specific genders and break the pattern.
5. Embrace Diversity, Differences, And Authenticity
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With social media being such a huge part of our lives, authenticity is lost. Everyone is trying to be someone they are not rather than embracing who they are. Teach your kids to embrace themselves, their culture, and their identity while respecting others’ differences. Talk to them about role models from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicity right from a young age, so they learn to accept differences. The more diversity they are exposed to, the more accepting they might be when they grow up.
There is no doubt that we have come a long way in the fight for gender equality, but we have a long way to go before we break out of stereotypes and traditional gender roles. What are your thoughts on this article? Comment below and let us know.
