Cultural Anthropology: Examining Gender Stereotypes in Daycare

This essay uses participant observation in daycare centers to explore the prevalence and impact of gender stereotypes in early childhood education. The author examines how teachers and parents reinforce traditional gender roles through play, dress codes, and expectations, leading to potential long-term consequences for children's development and perceptions of gender equality. The essay also connects these early experiences to broader issues of gender inequality in the workplace and society, referencing statistics on sexual harassment and disparities in promotions and political representation. The author advocates for dismantling social barriers and promoting equal opportunities for all genders, drawing on liberal feminist perspectives and emphasizing the importance of challenging gender-specific norms to foster a more equitable society. Desklib offers a platform to explore similar essays and research papers.

Running head: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Cultural Anthropology

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Cultural diversity is one of the most important aspects that must be imbibed within all the
individuals working at all the different levels. In order to do this project, I had to make sure that I
am being able to put myself out of my comfort zone and make sure that I am being able to step
into the outside world. I thought that one of the best methods of studying the cultural differences
will be to study the matter right from the grassroots level. This is best possible if the matter is
seen from the childhood phase of all the individuals. The society makes sure that it is able to
implement its rules and regulations on the entire individual. However, it is a known fact that
there are some strict rules and bias nesses that is followed by the society and is also imposed on
individuals. For an instance, the gender-specific roles are one good example. It is a society that
has categorized the blue and then pink color to be suitable for the boys and the girls respectively.
I have taken part in this participant observation method as a part-time teacher in the daycare
centers. I thought that this will help me to realize the gender stereotyping that is actually taking
place in these sectors and how can they be solved.
I thought that the best place to research this topic will be the daycare centers. I have never
ever been part of any such organization. I thought that if I step into this organization it will be
very good for my assignment. I will be able to see how the daycare center teachers are trying to
categorize the male and the female students into various gender-specific roles and
responsibilities. The child care center is one of the good and unique places where the cultural
values, social values, government policies, and all other such aspects are seen within the child
day care centers. Often the girls are made to play with dolls, toy houses and other such girly
materials. On the other hand, the boys are asked to play with the so-called manly materials like
the cars, architectural objects, video games, and other such elements.

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This is actually creating a very bad impact on the future of the children. I have seen that
the parents are also responsible for this gender stereotyping that is being done right from the
grassroots levels. The daycare authorities have to realize that this is not having a good or positive
impact on the future of the children as they grow up to be adult individuals.
I came to know that the teachers often ask the female students within the classroom and
carry on playing with the indoor gaming activities. On contrary, the male students can go out and
can pay in the open. There is no one who would ask the male students to stay in the classes. I
realized that the preschool teachers are actually promoting a sexist or a gender-specific
atmosphere within the classroom environment. Often during some functions, the girls are asked
to dress like the Disney princess, fairies, Cinderella's and another such princess like dresses. On
the other hand, the boys can dress like any heroes or they can even come in some normal casual
attires that will enable them to go out in the open and pay. Therefore, in this way it can be said
that the boys are becoming doers and the girls are becoming observers. Thus, I felt that this is
making the girls very inactive and the most concerning fact are that they are actually accepting
and abiding by it. They do not protect against it as there is no one who can show them the wrong
behind the same.
Making use of the participant observation method has been very useful as I have been
able to take part in all the activities that are taking place in the daycare centers. I have seen that
there is still a huge amount of gender stereotyping that is present within the US culture. There is
still a notion that the boys are much string than the female. It is, for this reason, the girls must
always know their limits. A very common line that I have heard the teachers saying is boys don’t

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cry, girls don’t play with mud. Thus, it is evident that there is a line of difference that is
maintained within the girls and the boys. I also realized that during any fancy dress competitions
girls are asked to wear something in pink and the boys were something in blue. This is indeed
harmful to them as it creates a stereotype within their minds. Girls are made to suffer from this
feeling that they are vulnerable and weak than their male counterparts. Same is the case in the
workplaces in the US. The women employees have to face a huge discrimination in comparison
to their male counterparts.
About one-in-five employed women in the U.S. (22%) say they have been sexually
harassed at work. This proves that the women in the working fields do not e joy a free and
secure environment. It is said that they are often harassed or molested by their male counterparts.
The #metoo social media campaign is one of the most burning examples of the modern day
scenario that proves this fact that working women in the US are not really safe.– 22% of
employed women said they have experienced sexual harassment on the job, compared with 7%
of employed men. It is also said that these women face a lot of difficulties in receiving
promotions and the other financial rewards within the right time. In other words, after serving the
same duration in their offices the women employees do not enjoy similar kinds of promotion or
monetary rewards that are given to the males.
The representation of women in the Republican sector is also very less in comparison to
their counterparts. This shows that the country is still far from developing a proper equality
within the male and the female counterparts. About six-in-ten women (57%) hold this view,
compared with 42% of men. They are about 74 percent is the male candidates who have got good
places and promotions in the Republican sectors. On contrary to this there is only 33 percent of
the females who have got chances in the higher Republican posts. This shows that there is a

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sharp distinction between the make and the female job aspirants. Even if then female employees
are equally talented they are not allowed to get employed or promoted to higher posts. It is an
age-old and traditional belief that the females are by nature very weak and vulnerable. They will
not be able to handle such huge pressure. Therefore, it will not be a very wise decision to appoint
the female employees in the higher professional positions. The discrimination between the male
and female employees is much more in the tech industry than in comparison to the other
industries. This is also evidence of the fact that there is a sharp discrimination made between the
male and the female employees.
There are also many models of understanding gender inequality. One among them is the
model of liberal feminism. The feminists belonging to this school are of the opinion that the
main reasons behind gender inequality are the social barriers that are present in men and women.
It is the society that is responsible for creating these useless social norms. The main reason is the
barriers that are created to check the advancements of women. Objectification of women is one
of the most significant things that are behind gender inequality. Liberal feminists do not want to
state that women are superior to men. All they demand is equal opportunities for all. There must
be equal freedom and chances available for the men and the women. Just as society cannot
dictate a girl to refrain from playing with bikes or wearing bikes, at the same time, a boy must
also be allowed to wear pink and play with dolls. The society must not stereotype individuals in
some gender-specific roles. Each and everyone is born free and they must be given equal rights
to choose a life of their own. Thus, I will make sure that I always play my part in removing these
gender inequalities. I will try to join an NGO or any preschools where I would like to teach
people that all are equal and they are not bound to abide by the social norms at the expense of
their happiness.

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Appendices