A new report by U.S.-based researchers suggest that, upon reaching the age of six, girls already believe that boys are more intelligent than them. As pointed out by the study, these young individuals believe their male counterparts are more likely to demonstrate higher levels of brilliance and intellect, and are more suited to “really, really smart” activities.
According to Science journal, several gender stereotype experiments were carried out among 400 children. In one of the tests, researchers told a story about “a really, really smart” person to the children, who were then asked to make a guess about the story’s main character. Although, at age five, the boys and girls guessed the character of their own gender, there was a significant change in their answer the following year.
In another test, the boys and girls were given an activity that both genders enjoyed when they were aged five. By age six to seven, the girls had already become uninterested. According to the researchers, the overall findings suggest that, at a young age, children are already aware of their gender stereotypes, such as the types of tasks that boys and girls “should” take interest in.
"When they enter school around 5 or 6 years of age, they get to have much more exposure to the cultural message, and that's when they learn a great deal of the information about the social world," said researcher and University of Illinois psychologist Lin Bian. "It seems to lead girls away from the types of activities that are for really smart kids."
In particular, children are absorbing such gender stereotypes from various sources, including the media, teachers, friends and community members, and even from their parents. According to CNN, child psychologist Madeleine Portwood suggests that a developmental difference based on age is likely to be the reason behind stereotyping. For example, at age six, boys can be more expected to tell everyone that they are strong or smart whereas girls are likely to be peacemakers and decide to follow others’ point of view.
All in all, the U.S-based study suggests that gender stereotypes are taken in early on in life, thereby becoming a significant component in influencing decisions later on, such as in choosing careers. Portwood, who also oversees the Witherslack Group of special educational schools, believes that universities and education providers should take an active role in addressing gender differences; they should also maintain a balance in the number of boys and girls in science and other “typically-biased subjects.”
The same approach to gender stereotypes is suggested for workplace improvement. "We still have a way to go to encourage companies to appoint more female directors,” she added.
