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Backlash against gender stereotype-violating preschool children
Jessica Sullivan1, Corinne Moss-Racusin1, Michael Lopez2
1Department of Psychology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, United States of America.
Plos One
|April 10, 2018
Summary
Adults penalize young children who violate gender stereotypes, with boys facing harsher judgment. This study reveals early childhood gender bias and its social consequences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Adults face backlash for violating gender stereotypes.
- Limited understanding of gender stereotypes and their consequences for young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate adults' gender stereotypes for preschool-aged children.
- Examine penalties children face for violating gender norms.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments with over 2000 US adults.
- Assessed descriptive, prescriptive, and proscriptive characteristics for boys and girls.
- Used vignettes describing stereotype-conforming and violating children.
Main Results:
- Adults rated stereotype-violating children as less likable.
- Backlash against stereotype-violating children was more pronounced for boys.
- Experiment 3 confirmed backlash effects against children violating gender stereotypes.
Conclusions:
- Young children experience adult backlash for gender stereotype violations.
- These negative effects appear stronger for boys than for girls.
- Highlights the early emergence of gender bias and social consequences.
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