Gender Equality in Preschool
Gender Equality Starts with Play
Play is an important tool for children to explore the world, establish social relationships and develop their skills. Therefore, it is of great importance to convey the concept of gender equality to children in preschool through games. While biological sex includes innate anatomical and physiological differences; Gender determines the roles, expectations and norms that society attributes to men and women. In this context, toys have often been used as a tool that can reinforce gender discrimination. Toys for girls that focus on care and housework, such as pink dolls and kitchen sets; Boys were offered toys that included more active and intense physical activities, such as machines and construction sets. While women are generally attributed characteristics such as emotionality, caregiving and empathy; Characteristics such as greater physical strength, leadership and risk-taking abilities are attributed to men. Such social expectations and norms can create a structure that teaches and imposes certain skills and behaviors on children based on gender from an early age.
By encouraging them to question gender roles, children can be supported to freely explore their own interests and talents. Educators and families must assume the responsibility of raising children with an inclusive and egalitarian perspective on different genders. In this way, children who are given gender equality awareness in the preschool period can become more tolerant, egalitarian and respectful individuals in their future lives.
