Gender is...

According to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, gender is defined as "the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex".  We often hear about gender roles, masculine/feminine traits, and the many stereotypes that fall into each gender. Typically, gender roles are the traditional responsibilities assigned to each gender (i.e. men work and women raise children). Due to the traditionalism of these gender roles, there are certain personality traits that follow each gender. Men are said to be tough, independent, protective, and have the responsibility to be hard-working. On the other hand, women are kind, gentle, nurturing, soft, and, therefore, should be the primary caregiver to their children.

These “roles” that we have assigned to each sex and labeled as “gender” can have detrimental effects on a child. Take, for instance, a young girl playing in the mud with her brother. As children will do, she throws some at her brother and is quickly scolded because throwing mud is not “lady-like”. However, the same experience, when shared between two young boys, is encouraged. Males are taught that rowdiness is okay and we condition their poor behavior simply because “boys will be boys”. An article* regarding the effects of stereotyping gender roles lists possible, negative outcomes including violence and suppression of emotion in males and excessive dieting, self-esteem issues, and avoidance of sports or difficult athletics for females. Genders are an important part of who we are as humans, but it is our responsibility to ensure that as we rear our children, we teach them in both sides of the spectrum and avoid shoving them into stereotypical behaviors that can cripple their abilities in the future.

Proverbs 22: 6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

*Link to Article: http://www.care2.com/causes/8-ways-gender-roles-actually-harm-our-kids.html