Gender role stereotypes play an important role in many areas of human development. They affect our emotions, choices, and behaviours in multiple contexts, and set the stage for prejudice and discrimination. Adult gender roles have changed, yet most children are exposed to stereotyped gender roles from birth: from parents, extended family, the media, and peers. Many parents express an interest in raising their children in a way that deemphasises gender, yet there are no existing evidence-based approaches focused on minimising the effects of gender role stereotypes in early childhood.
This presentation will provide an overview of research to support the development of interventions that empower parents to raise their children by focusing on individual strengths rather than gender. To develop effective interventions, several prerequisites are needed. These include a clear understanding of the nature of the problem and its determinants, appropriate measurement tools to assess intervention outcomes, and a consumer perspective on what parents want and need to support their parenting.
About the Speaker
Prof Alina Morawska is a Chief Investigator of Life Course Centre. She is also a Director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at The University of Queensland. Alina is passionate about creating a world where children develop the skills, competencies and confidence to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. Her research focuses on the central role of parents in influencing all aspects of children’s development, and parenting interventions as a way of understanding healthy development, a means for promoting positive family relationships, and a tool for the prevention and early intervention in lifelong health and wellbeing. She has published extensively in the field of parenting and family intervention and has received numerous grants to support her research. She has been recognised as Australia’s top scholar in family studies.