Misinformed Children

2 Pages 582 Words

Misinformed Children

In Western society gender roles have been a constant, yet pervasive form of personal identification. Both girls and boys are taught, explicitly and implicitly, what gender-identified behaviors are expected from them. For example, girls are given dolls and tea sets, while boys are given balls and toy trucks. Although this is not directly aimed at teaching children how to behave, it is part of a socially identified trend. For years our children have internalized gender role stereotypes from songs, books, magazines, television, movies, etc. They perceive this information as reality and compare it with their knowledge and ideas about the real world. They are not able to think abstractly and realize what they are witnessing does not reflect the norms of society. Many believe that gender roles are the result of innate biological differences between men and women. This ideal suggests that men are better suited to hold positions of power, while women are better suited to look after the home and children. These gender stereotypes are now considered limiting and damaging to all involved, men and women alike, from the time they are children. Gender stereotypes have in enormous affect on young children, especially those in the media. The media has a considerable impact on children’s perceptions of the real world, thus distorting their views of gender roles and creating gender stereotypes.
In today’s society the television, which is prominent in many households, is not only a source of entertainment, but also a source of information. According to recent research, on average, children spend 3.3 hours a day watching television. It is almost inevitable that television, as a learning source, has an important role in helping the “vulnerable and impressionable” minds of children to develop certain social roles and behavior traits. Television provides the framework for what is considered acceptable and unacceptable in ou...