The Child in Context: Gender, Ethnicity, Culture and Social Class

Running head: ESSAY
The child in context
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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ESSAY
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Gender........................................................................................................................................2
Ethnicity.....................................................................................................................................4
Culture........................................................................................................................................5
Social class.................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................9

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ESSAY
Introduction
The aim of the essay is to discuss about the gender, ethnicity, culture and the social
class in relation to that of the children’s experience and how these has an impact on them.
Childhood is the age period, which ranges from birth until adolescences. However, as per
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development this phrase of childhood mainly consists of two
parts, which are the preoperational, and the concrete operational stage (Black et al. 2017).
Social perspective of the childhood is very important to identify the concept of the childhood
as they vary according to different societies and the different societies have different
approach of childhood which in turn nurtures the overall development of the child and helps
in the formation of the profound childhood experience among children (Gehlbach and
Brinkworth 2012). Lastly, the term Professionalism can be defined as the behavior, aim or
the qualities which an early life educator should have to help in the overall development of
the child. The professionalism of the educators will help in the growth of child and also find
and mitigate any problems faced by the child. However, these concepts are important for
children because all these terms are equally important for maximizing the future well-being
of a child. Through the childhood experiences, the child develops learning, social, emotional
abilities. On the other hand, Social perspectives help in examining the experiences of the
children within the framework of time and place.
Gender
 Gender do have a major impact on children as through gender role a child learns
social and behavioral norms that are considered suitable for people of various
genders. Therefore, an understanding of gender in childhood helps them in their social
development as seen among the different African tribes where the children of
different genders help in the establishment of their own roles in the society. However,

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from the very childhood people must know the differences between sex and gender as
both are used interchangeably. Moreover, family as well as culture does have a major
impact in gender-role socialization as family helps in the acculturation of the gender
norms among children and the society enforces the actions and behaviors related to it.
Boy and girls in different cultures are dressed differently, receive dissimilar toys and
have differently furnished bedrooms by their parents (Antman 2012).
 For instance, when children start socializing it has been observed that boys choose to
play with boys and girls with girls. This happens because since birth children are
made aware of their gender roles in a number of societies by giving the children the
different kinds of childhood experience based on gender.
 Globally the gender of a person in the modern society cannot be only attributed based
on their biological make up. Every continent however, has two recognized gender but
there are countries, which also supports transgender and gay. For instance, in America
Transgender rights are very not easy. In Europe, the people are more tolerant about
different genders.
 Early years educators play an important part in the child’s life as they subconsciously
strengthen gender roles. They are the ones after the family who guides children if they
unknowingly behave differently in their gender specified roles. However, not only
gender differences but children also learn the concept of child equality through these
early professionals (Hart 2013).
 Reflection helps educators help the children in making the overall decisions relating
to the teaching patterns of the children making the experience better. Reflection helps
the educator device different plans and study patterns for overall development of the
educative patterns of the children. However, through reflection educator can link their
previous experiences to formulate better ideas for child education. Thus, educators