Watching gender stereotypes develop early.

[RandySF]

This morning, I took my five-year old son to pre-school. As I was waiting to sign him in, I watched him run off to join his friends in playing with the Play-doh. He sat down at the head of the table with his male friends joining him at either side. A girl walked to the table, walked away and returned with trays and handed them to the boys first before getting her own. As I watched this, I asked myself whether she was being very nice to her friends (she is new), or imitating what she may see her mother do at home. It really does start early, doesn't it?

[virgogal]

1. I think you're reading too much into this kind act.

[Robb]

2. There was a little boy who passed out everyone's waters and plates

...at my nephew's daycare. Age 2 and a half, I believe. I was astounded, thinking about gender roles and what-not, until one of the adults told me his parents owned a restaurant. :D

You never know.

[Snoutport]

23. You know what that means don't you? He is going to totally grow up to be

a waiter.

[Brickbat]

3. While it does, indeed, start early, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

And I say that as a hairy-legged feminist.

[cbdo2007]

4. being polite is now a "gender stereotype"??

wow, have you talked to your therapist about this?

[bobbolink]

8. Why does every comment have to involve an insulte? Is this age-related?

You see?

Could you please rephrase?

Please?

[cbdo2007]

11. What insult? The viewpoint in the OP says way more about the poster....

and issues they have with gender stereotypes than with the kids they are allowing to play out their own "gender stereotype" fantasies here.

The OP is insulting to kids and parents everywhere.

[bobbolink]

12. The "insult" was in your imagination, but YOUR insutl was clear.

I repeat... could you please rephrase it?

thank you.

[The2ndWheel]

5. What about your son?

Why is he sitting at the head of the table not getting up to get the Play-doh himself? What's he learning at home?

[RandySF]

6. Because of our schedules, we rarely sit together for dinner

So I honestly have no idea.

[cbdo2007]

7. hahaha haha, is this serious??!?!?

This isn't serious, right? This is a joke?

In your op you think some random polite act by a little kid is a "gender stereotype" then you go on to say you never even sit with your kids at dinner?

Really?

[RandySF]

13. At night it's just my son and myself

Why wife works nights.

[Book Lover]

9. Yes, it does (nm)

[bobbolink]

10. It absolutely does. Sometimes it seems like "it is in the water".

At least at this age, they are still influenced by parents, and words can help them to change some of the behavior.

Later, when they are peer influenced more, it is really difficult.

[Zorra]

14. I understand the correlation and why you might interpret the action that way.

At most of the indoor family gatherings, or similar events that I have ever been to, we were almost always the primary persons involved in the preparation, service, and cleaning up after meals.

This was most often, but not always, (largely depending on the role expectations of the household where the event occurred),
the unspoken obvious gender expectation.

At outdoor (especially the grill) the guys often took more responsibility for service.

Men and women usually grow up in different worlds with different cultural pressures and expectations, and the respective genders are often somewhat clueless about the unconscious cultural pressures the other gender experiences.

[seabeyond]

15. we are lucky in this house. hubby better cook. and when family come over i drink. so often

(one glass puts me over to fun) my hubby is doing and directing and putting together the meal. at our thanksgivings, it is even more fun cause both my brothers are good cooks. so it will be hubby, two brothers and me.... in the kitchen. i have thought aout it often how much healthier it is for my kids, nieces and nephews.

dad is as much in the thick of it as i

[RandySF]

18. I'm the parent home at night.

I take him to the park, serve dinner, help him practice writing letters and numbers, make sure he has a bath and get him to bed.

[seabeyond]

21. i got to do that with mine

i wouldnt change anything in the world. i feel for hubby, he has not been afforded the same bond. then on the other hand, i do discipline and punishing, and he is alowed only the fun and happy.

ya, i read that in a post above. that is good for your son

[Riftaxe]

19. I'm no longer allowed to cook in or outdoors

for family gatherings, some people just don't think food should be an adventure :)

On edit: set one porch on fire, or forget that bag of goodies is inside the turkey...

[bobbolink]

20. LOL "adventure", indeed!

My motto: As a cook, I am a better dishwasher.

[Riftaxe]

22. Ah well family mechanic is gender neutral

We make the young ones wash the dishes.

[seabeyond]

16. from the moment they are born. isnt she so bee u tee full. look at him pump those fist, he is so

active.

and it doesnt let up, unless you live a people oriented house instead of a gender oriented house

[Riftaxe]

24. As i said family in our family gatherings,

the youngest get the clean up and serving chores, no one cares what hangs above or below the sink, they all have 2 hands that aren't ours :)

[Riftaxe]

25. Although i could argue gender differences

easily enough for males until the end, it's all about the them. Females hit that mark around puberty, but a difference that is small enough to not matter greatly.

I don't think anyone could argue that genetic differences do not exist, but I also don't believe they should be enforced through societal mores.

on edit: Yes, I poking the bear :P

[EFerrari]

17. Oh, you know it. Tiny little girls are still called "mamita"

in my extended Latino family.

[Name removed]

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