Role of the Family in Preschool Children's Perception of Gender

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the role of families in preschool children's perception of gender. Participants are eight children from varying family structures of lower and middle socio-economic levels, attending the same nursery class, and their mothers. Data were collected through observation, interviews with the children and their mothers and the activities without any intervention. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that factors such as the children's mothers being house wives, being subjected to domestic violence witnessed by their children, and the traditional distribution of domestic responsibilities are effective on children's stereotype opinions concerning man and woman. Also, children whose mothers and fathers take joint responsibility in household labor are less stereotypical than those whose fathers do not participate in domestic responsibilities. Employment status of the mother generally does not impact children's perception on men and women. It was also determined that children that are not oppressed by their fathers, that have a opposite sex sibling, and that are given toys peculiar to the opposite sex have less stereotypical preferences in terms of toys and play.