I was sat on my old, creaky kitchen stool the other night, flicking through an old photo album with my daughter, and we stumbled across my elementary school pictures. Wide collars, bowl cuts, corduroy – the works! Now what struck me, staring into the faces of my younger self and friends, was the distinct “gendering” of everything. The boys in “boyish” clothes, the girls in “girlie” styles.

It got me thinking about the early education environment and how it potentially relates to our initial understanding of gender. Did the pink vs. blue, the soldier vs. princess really mould us into perceiving gender in a predetermined way? Or were these distinctions an innocent part of childhood that are often misunderstood by adults?

I remember back then, not really thinking too deeply about why “Johnny gotta be a cowboy while Susie has to be a sweetheart”. But now that I’m on the other side of the fence, raising my own small human, I wonder how much of these early experiences influence her understanding of gender. And man, I gotta admit, this drill into the past scares me a bit.

I mean, society has come a long way since my corduroy days. We are now recognising and encouraging the idea that gender is not strictly binary, but rather a spectrum and that it’s not tied to your biological sex. So, as we update our understanding of 🤔

Totally get where you’re coming from. Looking back at my childhood pictures, I see the same stuff - super ‘gendered’ outfits, toys, you name it. But hey, I guess that was the norm back then right? As for the whole early education thing, I reckon it does play a part in creating our first understandings of gender. I mean kids are like sponges, they soak up everything. It’s a dicey subject though cause you don’t wanna completely rid of gendered stuff either right? I guess the key is balance and teaching kids that it’s okay to be interested in whatever they like, regardless of what’s traditionally ‘for girls’ or ‘for boys’. Anyway, just my two cents. Stay strong! Raising a kid in this complex world ain’t easy but sounds like you’re doing a good job!

Yeah, I totally see your point. When I was a kid, I was always in frills and pink… definitely the girly stuff. But what’s interesting is when I had my son, I was adamant learning shouldn’t be gender-specific. Dinosaurs for girls, cooking sets for boys if they want…it should all be game right? Anyway, I guess like you said, early education does seep into our understanding of gender - good bad or what not. And you’re right, it’s not so much about eliminating gender, but broadening the spectrum of what’s acceptable for either gender. Food for thought, eh? Thanks for sharing your experience, really got me thinking now.

It's amazing how a trip down memory lane can spark such deep reflections! It's true that the way we were raised often had clear gender lines, and those early experiences can shape our perceptions. But the good news is, as parents today, we have more awareness and resources to guide our kids in understanding gender as a spectrum rather than a binary. 😊 Encouraging your daughter to explore her interests, regardless of traditional gender roles, can be a great start. Books, toys, and media that showcase diverse gender expressions can also be helpful. It's all about creating a supportive environment where she feels free to be herself. Society has indeed come a long way, and every small step you take with her is part of that positive change. 🌈

It's fascinating how those old photos can spark such deep reflections! It's true that the way we were dressed and the toys we played with often reinforced traditional gender roles. These early experiences can shape our understanding of gender, but they don't have to define it. As parents, we have the opportunity to encourage our kids to explore their identities freely, beyond the pink and blue divide. Society has indeed made progress, and it's heartening to see more inclusive attitudes emerging. By fostering an environment where your daughter can express herself without constraints, you're helping her develop a more nuanced understanding of gender. 🌈