Impact of Gender Neutrality in Early Childhood Education: Analysis

This essay explores the concept of gender neutrality in early childhood education. It begins by defining gender neutrality and its implications for children's development, emphasizing the freedom given to children in choosing their behavior, dress, and reasoning. The essay then discusses how children learn gender roles through socialization and stereotyping, and the role of educators in promoting gender-neutral roles. Positive effects of gender neutrality, such as enhanced creativity, a wider range of interests, improved self-esteem, and easier socialization, are detailed. Conversely, the essay also addresses potential negative effects, including identity confusion and societal challenges. References from Dinella & Weisgram, Emilson, Folkesson & Lindberg, and Lindsey are provided to support the arguments presented. The conclusion reiterates that a child's behavior is influenced by upbringing and social environment. The essay provides a balanced view of the topic, highlighting both the benefits and potential drawbacks of gender neutrality in early childhood education.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
[INSTITUTION]
[NAME]

INTRODUCTION
Gender neutrality refers to teaching and raising of
children without directing them to act in any of the
preconceived gender. They are given freedom to choose the
way to behave throughout their lifetime. The way they dress,
behave and reason is up to them to decide.

CONT.……
Children learn how to associate with their
gender ,the moment they identify themselves as either
being a boy or girl. The environment itself socializes the
children to gender identity as it’s difficult for the society
to adopt gender neutrality. This allows the children to
identify themselves with their gender and act by
society’s expectation of gender. The children start
learning on gender through stereotyping experiences
from their environments. They express the same
behaviour when playing with their peers

CONT.…..
The older children police others around to conform to gender-specific roles
and behaviours when playing. However, educators have a responsibility to
support children and encourage them to take part in gender-neutral roles. The
educator may discourage stereotyping play and promote gender-neutral roles.
This can be achieved when the educator avoids stereotyping incidences, such
as providing gender classified toys. Instead, gender-neutral toys can be used.
Examples of gender-neutral toys are animal toys and inventory kits.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GENDER
NEUTRALITY
• Gender neutral children are more creative than gender-sensitive ones. This is because the
children are given the power to express their opinions and make their own decisions right
from childhood.
• The interest and insights of the gender-neutral children are enhanced when they are given
freedom to choose, for example, in choosing between boy and girl toys (Dinella &
Weisgram, 2018).
• Gender neutral children can have a wide range of hobbies and interests. This is because they
can comfortably fit in the hobbies and interests regardless of society’s notions. For example,
women may engage in games like boxing, which is viewed to be for men.

CONT.….
• The gender-neutral children are not ashamed of expressing their personalities as they do not constrain
themselves in any way.
• Socialization and interaction between children of opposite gender become easier for gender-neutral
children. This gives them an opportunity to learn the interests of their peers in the opposite gender (Lindsey,
2016).
• Gender-Neutral children have improved self-esteem. This is because they are raised knowing that their
opinions count and are considered.
• Gender equality is enhanced when children grow up in environments where stereotyping is not encouraged.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GENDER
NEUTRALITY
• The children are at risk of losing their identity. This is because they can get confused about
their gender.
• It can be a challenge for both teachers and parents to communicate with gender-neutral
children. This is because it is difficult to avoid “gender-specific” pronouns such as him, or
her ( Emilson, Folkesson, & Lindberg, 2016).
• It is difficult for the gender-neutral children to fit in the society when they grow up. This is
because society will expose them to gender sensitivity, leaving them with no option but
deciding on whom they want to be and where to fall under.

CONCLUSION
Children tend to grow and behave according to their
upbringing, though sometimes it becomes difficult due to the
societal environment. Therefore, the issue of gender neutrality
is a matter of choice.

REFERENCES
Dinella, L. M., & Weisgram, E. S. (2018). Gender-typing of children’s toys:
Causes, consequences, and correlates. Sex Roles, 79(5-6), 253-259.
Emilson, A., Folkesson, A. M., & Lindberg, I. M. (2016). Gender beliefs and
embedded gendered values in preschool. International Journal of Early
Childhood, 48(2), 225-240.
Lindsey, E. W. (2016). Same-Gender Peer Interaction and Preschoolers’
Gender-Typed Emotional Expressiveness. Sex Roles, 75(5-6), 231-242.