The Negative Effects Of Sexism On Children And Early Childhood

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Sexism is the prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex (Dictionary.com). Examples of this would be the pay gap between women and men, and how men get paid more for doing the same jobs as women. Some say that sexism in our country is not relevant any more, but that is not the case. Today, sexism still affects how various people treat each other, and how children are educated and raised. Within modern America, children are consistently put into roles and expected to stay within them; instances of this often happen within preschools, elementary schools, and even within the home. Sexism in America affects how children and young adults act within our society. Toys, along with playing, are extremely important to a child’s development. In, …show more content…

Gender specific toys affect sexism in America by having heavily gendered toys and only marketing these specific toys to certain groups of children. Due to the restricted options for both boys and girls, they are put into the roles that affect them throughout their life. Early education is also affected by sexism and gendered toys. A child’s early education is done primarily through playing, depending on the toys they play with a child could miss out on fine or gross motor development. Along with this, how parents raise their children affects sexism in America, because girls are taught to believe specific things about their bodies. Due to this, girls tend to be ashamed of their bodies rather than proud of them. Although many stereotypes impact girls, hypermasculinity is one that affects the boys in America. Hypermasculinity set the stereotype for young men that emotional behaviors are typically feminine, and an insensitive behavior towards women. This insensitive behavior towards women is toxic for both boys and girls and causes boys to feel pressured to fit into this intensely masculine

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