"Complimentary Companioning": Strategies for Nurturing Empowered Women and Contemporary Men
Empowering Tomorrow's Pillars: The Impact of Modern Fathers
Gender roles play a significant part in shaping a child's development, and modern fathers are stepping up to challenge these stereotypes. From early childhood, boys and girls are often treated differently, and it's essential for today's children to grow into strong, confident individuals.
In kindergarten classrooms, girls are frequently exposed to household tasks or toys like play kitchens and dolls, while boys are given a chance to explore the world with pants that have pockets and prints proclaiming 'strong' or 'brave.' According to Susanne Mierau, a renowned kindergarten educator and author, this early exposure to gender roles is often unintentional and reinforced by societal expectations.
Breaking the Mold: Fashion and Beyond
Even a glance at the clothing departments of fashion chains confirms this image, says Mierau. Girls are often dressed in tight clothes that limit their movement, while boys receive loose and wide pants with pockets for exploration tools like magnifying glasses. Instead of emphasizing strength and bravery, girls are described as sweet, cute, or pretty on the offered shirts.
To change this narrative, educators like Mierau believe that the education of girls must evolve to break free from old stereotypes. Growing up in the vibrant 1980s, gender roles were less prominent, and boys and girls were treated more equally in terms of clothing and toys. However, since then, the pink-light blue trap has become more prevalent, and Mierau notes a small regression in progress.
Modern Fathers: A Force for Change
Children are greatly influenced by the environment in which they grow, and the partnership between parents (or the direct environment of single parents) is crucial. "Modern fathers have a significant impact on the development of their children," says Mierau. This impact is evident in everyday interactions – from treating the mother with respect and promoting equal decision-making to guiding their sons through emotional experiences.
Raising Confident Individuals: A Reversed Approach
To nurture self-confident children, educators suggest an approach where boys and girls should be raised in a more reversed manner. While girls should be encouraged to set boundaries and be strong, boys need a different kind of attention. Boys often lack social skills, and it's essential to help them regulate their feelings, especially emotional education that traditionally falls short for them.
Creating a Flexible Environment for Growth
In the pursuit of equality, the goal should be to allow children freedom in their personalities and interests, whether traditionally masculine or feminine. Parents should encourage children to pursue activities they enjoy, regardless of gender norms, and embrace a flexible parenting style that supports their children's unique personalities.
Modern fathers can play a vital role in nurturing self-confident children by challenging traditional gender stereotypes, promoting egalitarian values, and supporting diverse interests and personal expressions.
References:
- ntv.de
- Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, "Digital working 2020: Fair chances for all?," [accessed May 26, 2022]
- FH Bielefeld, "The Change in the Gender Distribution of Overtime Work Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic," [accessed May 26, 2022]
Keywords:
- Parents
- Children
- Education
- Gender Stereotypes
- Modern Fathers
- Child Development
- Self-Confidence
- Egalitarianism
- Personal Expression
- Smart Parenting
- Gender Norms
- Modern fathers, as agents of change, can contribute to the education policy by promoting egalitarian values, ensuring a flexible environment that supports children's unique personalities and diverse interests, thus fostering self-confident individuals.
- To empower children and break free from old gender stereotypes, lifestyles should reflect a reversed approach in raising boys and girls, with both genders encouraged to pursue activities they enjoy, regardless of traditional gender norms.
- In the domain of home-and-garden, parents can challenge stereotypes by facilitating an equal distribution of household tasks, modeling respectful relationships, and fostering personal-growth opportunities for their children, supporting their self-development and learning.
