How children perceive gendered division of household work
Jan 15, 2024
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Allegra Midgette and Nadia Chernyak discuss when young children begin to perceive and accept unequal and gendered division of household labor, including a survey that shows children as young as four matching their parents' reports, and the impact it has on their beliefs about equality and fairness.
Children as young as preschool age start perceiving and accepting gender inequalities in divisions of household labor.
Parental modeling and discussions about decision-making can help shape children's understanding of a more equitable division of household labor.
Deep dives
Age at which children perceive and accept gender inequalities in household labor
According to a recent PNAS study, children as young as preschool age start perceiving and accepting gender inequalities in divisions of household labor. The study interviewed 215 children between 3 and 10 years old from the United States and China, and found that by age four, children's reports matched their parents' perceptions of uneven distribution of household chores. Furthermore, at every age, almost all children in both countries believed that the division of labor in their homes was fair. These findings highlight the early influence of family dynamics on children's understanding of gender roles.
Importance of addressing children's perception of the division of household labor
Understanding children's acceptance of the division of household labor is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, children are already aware of these dynamics at a young age, which emphasizes the significance of parental modeling and its impact on their beliefs about equality and fairness. Secondly, these ages coincide with the period when children start forming opinions about social issues, indicating that what happens in their homes may shape their broader perspectives. Lastly, by identifying these critical ages, parents and caregivers can engage in conversations with children about decision-making and work towards creating a more equitable perception of the division of household labor.