As a parent, your everyday conversations with your son can greatly impact his thinking, as well as his interactions with the girls. After all, change really and truly does begin at home
We are often guilty of 'gender stereotypes' knowingly or unknowingly. To raise respectful boys, let’s stop using certain words and phrases at home. Here is what you can do instead.
Wrong: Why are you crying like a girl?
Right: You seem to be upset about something. Do you want to talk about it?
Wrong: Boys will be boys (even if the phrase is used for fun).
Right: Children will be children.
Wrong: In tough situations, behave like a man.
Right: In tough situations, be brave and resilient.
Wrong: She is so aggressive, just like a boy.
Right: She is an assertive and confident girl.
Wrong: Son, ask your sister to set the table.
Right: Son, it's your turn to set the table today.
Wrong: What are you complaining for, like a girl?
Right: What are you complaining about?
Wrong: She is too muscular, like a man.
Right: She is fit and healthy.
Wrong: Why does your sister have to play football? It's a boy's game.
Right: Your sister has a natural talent for the game.
Wrong: You boys never do your work on time. Only the girls are sincere about their work.
Right: A few of you never do your work on time.
Wrong: I want her to take up a desk job. Leave the outdoor jobs to the boys.
Right: She can choose what she is most comfortable with.
Wrong: Don't be a sissy. It's only a lizard.
Right: Did the lizard scare you?
You can take inspiration from these examples to come up with your own phrases in such daily conversations. The main idea here is to not divide human qualities, e.g. bravery, sincerity, building muscles, etc. by gender. This will help your son learn that there's nothing wrong with boys being emotional or, girls being assertive.
Comments
Shruti Dewangan Feb 22, 2024
Really need this type of articles... thank you so much
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