It is generally assumed that parents want to do right by their kids, and in a world where strict gender roles are being strategically broken down, it can be hard to know how to bring your child up in a way that doesn't conflict with their personal gender identity.
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The best thing you can do is not actively enforce gender stereotypes on your children. Don't let your daughter grow her hair and force your son to cut his. Don't question what type of clothes they are comfortable in even if your son wants to wear a dress and your daughter wants to dress like Superman. And always avoid making sweeping generalisations regarding girls and boys in front of them.
Children see the world through black and white, and it can be a hard process for some when they feel like their gender restricts them from doing something they want to do. If you're unsure how to approach the subject of gender with your child, all kinds of literature exists now in the world of children's fiction which challenge gender stereotypes, such as The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko, I'm a Girl by Yasmeen Ismail and The Night Pirates by Peter Harris and Deborah Allwright, to name but a few. It's always worth actively digging these stories out to further encourage your children to think of themselves as individuals, rather than as boys or girls.
Now the toy world is making huge steps in gender inclusivity, with Barbie creators Mattel having just unveiled a new line of dolls which aim to be free of labels. The dolls come as part of 'Creatable World' kits, which gives children the options of short hair or long hair, high heels or sneakers, T-shirts or tutus, all in the same £34.99 package. Children can dress up the dolls as stereotypically or as unstereotypically as they choose, giving them huge space to explore their creativity and individuality.
We would go as far as to say that toys like these are essential for a child's healthy development of identity, and presents an unrestricted world which allows them to explore their full potential as human beings. If girls are less likely to desire to become builders and engineers than boys, the toy industry is one of the main players responsible.
"Toys are a reflection of culture and as the world continues to celebrate the positive impact of inclusivity, we felt it was time to create a doll line free of labels", senior vice president of Mattel's doll design Kim Culmone said. "Through research, we heard that kids don't want their toys dictated by gender norms. This line allows all kids to express themselves freely which is why it resonates so strongly with them."
The best thing is, this doll range is geared at both boys and girls and has neutral packaging to further its appeal. Make gender a relaxed and playful concept, and you create a world of equality and acceptance.
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