6-1 Discussion: Gender Stereotypes
Composed of three research papers utilizing various types of studies, C.L. Shearer’s article, Gender
Socialization in the Family, examines what the role of families are in relation to gender socialization as
well as gender socialization processes including gender bias and predicting children’s attitudes towards
women. To uncover the processes of gender socialization in the family, the first paper utilized a
longitudinal study. Examining communication and instruction of the parents aimed to prepare children
for gender bias, this study found that mothers prepared daughters for gender bias more so than they did
for their sons. Additionally, fathers provided less preparation for gender bias when compared to
mothers and there was no differentiation between sons and daughters (Shearer, C.L., 2007). This study
also found a correlation between the level of preparation for gender bias and the education level,
gender attitudes, and child-parent relationships. To measure African American parents’ preparation for
gender bias and then compare it with the preparation of racial bias, the second paper also utilized a
longitudinal study. This study found that parents had a lower level of preparation for gender bias when
compared with the preparation for racial bias. This study also found a correlation between the level of
preparation for both gender and race with high levels of instrumentality and experiences of
discrimination (Shearer, C.L., 2007). The importance from this study comes from the inclusion of African
American participants, making the study more credible. To explore gender socialization in the family
from the perspective of emerging adult offspring, the third paper utilized a qualitative study.
Conservatism in family and peer gender messages were found in this study. This conservatism is thought
to be related to traditional views of masculinity and childrearing roles held by emerging adults. The
significance of this study was in that it revealed observation to be the key factor in how young
individuals receive information and how that in turn influences their thinking (Shearer, C.L., 2007). An
additional type of study that could be utilized to examine gender socialization is one that considers an
environmental perspective examining how environmental factors influence socialization. Studies that
involve gender roles could also be used to examine gender socialization by revealing the influences of
the media, society, and families as well as the environment.
Reference:
Shearer, C.L. (2007). Gender socialization in the family (Order No. 3284998). Available from ProQuest
Dissertations & Theses Global. (304835098). Retrieved November 19, 2022, from
https://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fdissertations-theses
%2Fgender-socialization-family%2Fdocview%2F304835098%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D37833
