"If you walk into any [toy store], you will see very clearly how we as a society divide girls and boys and what we think each gender should be aspiring to do in the world," says Anea Bogue, the creator of REALgirl, an empowerment program for girls. "The boys' aisles are all about taking action, being heroes or warriors, and saving others. The girls' aisles are primarily pink and focus on looking 'pretty,' being princesses, or playing in the kitchen."
Whether your daughter's biggest interest of the month is searching for bugs on the sidewalk or dressing up in princess attire, allowing her to explore those interests without a cloud over her head full of gendered expectations is important.
Additionally, commenting on something that your daughter does or doesn't do in reference to the approval or disapproval of the opposite sex can be harmful; for example, telling her that something she does will influence the way boys feel about her. To avoid restricting your daughter based on gender, steer clear from phrases like these:
- He's only being mean because he likes you!
- Why can't you be more like your sister?
- You throw like a girl.
- That's not very ladylike.
- Girls don't behave that way.
- You're so pretty!
- Those are for boys.
- You're going to scare all the boys away if you do that.