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Challenging gender stereotypes: resistance and exclusion
Kelly Lynn Mulvey1, Melanie Killen2
1University of South Carolina.
Child Development
|November 11, 2014
Summary
Children and adolescents believe they would resist gender stereotypes more than their peers. However, this expectation decreases with age, with participants anticipating social exclusion for nonconformity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Gender stereotypes significantly influence children's social behavior and group dynamics.
- Peer group norms often reinforce traditional gender roles, impacting individual choices.
- Understanding children's perceptions of resisting these norms is crucial for developmental research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the likelihood of resisting gender-stereotypic peer group norms in preadolescents and early adolescents.
- To examine children's expectations about their own resistance versus their peers' resistance to gender stereotypes.
- To explore age-related differences and perceived consequences of challenging gender norms.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 292 participants aged 9–10 and 13–14 years.
- Participants were presented with hypothetical peer groups conforming and non-conforming to gender stereotypes (e.g., boys playing ballet).
- Data collected on self-reported likelihood of resistance and expectations of peer resistance.
Main Results:
- Contrary to some gender-stereotyping research, participants indicated a higher likelihood of personal resistance to gender stereotypes than anticipated peer resistance.
- Expectations of peer resistance to gender stereotypes decreased significantly with increasing age.
- Participants recognized potential social consequences, such as exclusion, for challenging group norms.
- An understanding of asymmetrical gender stereotype challenges was evident, with boys expected to face greater difficulty than girls.
Conclusions:
- Younger children and early adolescents express a willingness to personally resist gender stereotypes.
- Perceived peer conformity increases with age, potentially due to social pressures and awareness of consequences.
- Awareness of social exclusion and the differential difficulty for boys and girls in challenging stereotypes highlights nuanced understanding of gender dynamics.
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