"Complimentary Companionhood": Guidance on Raising Girls into Empowered Women and Boys into Progressive Men
Titled: Empowering Kids: The Importance of Modern Dads and Breaking Gender Stereotypes
Today’s youth deserve to grow into well-rounded, confident individuals. And modern dads – armed with a fresh perspective and open minds – are leading the way.
From a young age, boys and girls are often treated differently, and these distinctions can have long-lasting effects on their development. Susanne Mierau, a kindergarten educator and best-selling author, shares her insights in an interview with ntv.de. "By encouraging girls to help with household chores or play with domestic-like items, they're being steered towards rigid gender roles early on, sometimes unintentionally by parents."
A glance at fashion chain clothing departments reveals the persisting stereotypes. "Girls are given clothes that restrict their movement and lack practical pockets for exploring the world, while boys' clothing is loose, provides side pockets for tools like magnifying glasses, and sports empowering prints like 'strong' or 'brave,'" Mierau explains. Conversely, girls’ clothing often carries messages of sweetness and cuteness.
Mierau believes change is necessary. In her book "New Moms for Rebel Girls," she details how the education of girls needs to evolve to break free from traditional norms and help them become strong and self-assured women. In the '80s, children’s clothing and toys were more alike for boys and girls. "Since then, we've experienced a small step backward," says Mierau.
The consequences of these entrenched gender roles stretch beyond fashion choices. Today’s men are increasingly asserting their desire to take on more family responsibilities, yet studies from the COVID-19 pandemic show that the divide between men and women is widening again. Women are hit harder by home office and the simultaneous caretaking of children and household duties.
This dynamic can impact the self-image of children, who often witness their mothers working harder and feeling stressed. "Can my daughter see that Mom also relaxes on the couch with a book? Or is Mom always busy and only Dad takes breaks?" asks Mierau. Striking this balance is essential for creating a strong foundation for children.
Modern Women Need Modern Fathers
Parental partnership – or the environment of single parents – plays a crucial role in shaping self-assured individuals. "Modern fathers actually have a significant influence on the development of their children," Mierau notes. In everyday life, this is evident in the way fathers interact with mothers, negotiate compromises, and discuss their feelings.
Emotional accessibility is a key aspect of fatherhood. Boys, in particular, can benefit from learning emotional intelligence from their dads. This means being there for children during difficult times, sharing feelings, and demonstrating healthy coping mechanisms.
Breaking Free and Breaking Stereotypes
For today’s education to foster gender equality, boys and girls should essentially be taught reversed lessons. While girls should be encouraged to be independent and strong, boys need guidance in mastering social skills, especially in managing their feelings and handling challenging emotions like anger, jealousy, and envy without resorting to physical behavior.
In essence, parents should permit children to develop freely in their individuality. Mierau encourages flexibility in allowing boys to engage in activities more traditionally associated with girls, such as playing with dolls, while also allowing girls to participate in boyish pursuits, like playing with toy trucks. Whatever the interest, parental support in fostering self-confidence is vital.
Modern fathers can play a pivotal role in shaping strong, self-assured children by modeling flexible gender roles, fostering emotional intelligence, and providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment. By doing so, they help their children grow into individuals who are free to be themselves and escape the restrictive grips of outdated gender norms.
Community policy should be drafted to encourage fathers' active involvement in their children's health-and-wellness and parenting, as it can significantly impact their children's development and self-assuredness, according to Susanne Mierau.
Science and research in the field of education should focus on developing employment policies that promote equal opportunities for both mothers and fathers, as modern dads can benefit from flexible working hours to enable more balanced parenting and break gender stereotypes.
