When dealing with children's perceptions of gender roles, one recommendation would be to ____.
a. steer girls only toward traditional girl-centered activities and boys only toward traditional boy-centered activities; otherwise confusion will occur between what society expects of them and what they expect of themselves
b. steer girls only toward traditional boy-centered activities and boys only toward traditional girl-centered activities; this is the only way parents can truly counteract strong gender stereotypes constantly reinforced by society
c. reinforce that traditional masculine jobs are best suited for men and traditional feminine jobs are best suited for women; when they get older they will figure out on their own that exceptions to these norms are okay
d. provide examples to children of people they know who do and do not fit within traditional gender roles and teach them that this is an appropriate and acceptable way of life
Question 2
Five year old Marie makes a new friend Alex at school. Alex's parents, who are a male gay couple, contact Marie's parents to set up a play date at their home. Knowing that Marie is unfamiliar with this type of non-traditional family,
what is the recommended course of action for Marie's parents to follow?
a. Keep the play date at Alex's home and do not prepare Marie in any special way; drawing specific attention to Alex's family dynamic may inadvertently cause Marie to think that something is wrong with their family.
b. Suggest to Marie's parents that Alex come for a play date at Marie's home; Marie is too young to understand Alex's family dynamic and will only be confused.
c. Keep the play date at Alex's home and discuss in advance with Marie that Alex has two dads and emphasize that families come in many varieties; it's love that makes a family and not everyone falls in love with someone of the other sex.
d. Keep the play date at Alex's home and discuss in advance with Marie that Alex has two dads and emphasize that although many people disagree with this type of family dynamic Alex is from a nice family so that it is okay to play with Alex.