Gender Role Stereotypes & Early Socialization

Chapter by Susan Greendorfer in Women In Sport, Greta

Cohen, Ed.Notes from the Textbook

Title IX Most important single event in U.S. for

women’s sport & social change More diverse educational and

occupational opportunities Feminine images today not much

different than those from past century Gender roles remain and control

women’s participation in sport

Socialization and Gender Roles Socialization: a social influence

process mediated by individuals Depends upon conformity to an

extraordinary degree Gender roles epitomize this social

learning Differential treatment of boys and girls:

needed to preserve society?

Socialization Into Gender Roles and Sport Specific social learning mechanisms Differential treatment Stereotyping and Labeling These three mechanisms perpetuate

the dominant ideological beliefs and social practices of a society

Biological sex controls the activities and opportunities we experience

Socialization Practices Taken For Granted We call the outcomes “normal”(“male behavior and interests differ from

female behavior and interests.)Absent critical examination, we assume

that superficial changes in behavior signal changes in society.

Close examination reveals continued practices of gender discrimination

Child Rearing & Play Behavior Parental influence paramount in early

childhood socialization Children exposed to activities

consonant with their gender Reward and punishment used to

strengthen so-called sex appropriate interests and behavior

No research evidence to show change

Times Have Changed? Research evidence says, no. Stereotypic notions of masculinity and

femininity continue to influence toy selection, play, physical activity, and sport behavior.

Ideology, Gender role Stereotyping & Play Process for values inculcation are

virtually invisible Outcomes are clear Most boys become involved in sport

and most girls do not This outcome is not due to biological

differences, but rather subtle social learning

Gender Ideology Learned from Birth Pink and blue Toy selection We’ve been persuaded that differential

treatment is not discrimination, so we don’t challenge the system.

Why should a father show a son how to hold, throw, or catch a ball but not teach similar skills to his daughter?

Toys Influence Play Style Boys are given trucks, guns, tractors,

and manipulative toys and therefore develop a preference for these toys

By the time children reach elementary school age they have determined for themselves that active sports are masculine and not feminine.

Gender Hierarchy Develops A system that ranks meanings about

power, worth, and value Children learn to perceive that

masculine sports and games have a higher prestige value.

What boys and girls learn from becoming physically active?

Sex Differences in Children’s Games Boys more rigidly sex-typed than girls (Some girls play boys’ games) Theoretical Concepts may influence

these outcomes: Hegemony – a lived system of meanings

and values which when experienced as practices become reciprocally confirming and accepted as natural

Patriarchy & Ideology Patriarchy – the ideological belief in

male superiority and privilege Ideology - the belief system that

conveys meanings an ideas about social live and about how things should be

Assumptions Made Re: What children Learn From Play Boys play is outdoors complex, large

groups, and so boys learn: goal setting, interdependent roles; advanced techniques of performance; how to adjust rules of the game, settle disputes, and abide by compromise

Girls – indoors, small group, repetitive, taking turns, less challenging

Socialization into Sport vs. Sport Socialization Assumption by researchers that

certain outcomes follow sport participation: pro-social behavior, cognitive, social and personal growth,cooperation, positive interpersonal relations, moral development, and good citizenship.

Don’t know if/how/ why of life lessons

Questions We Ought To Ask Do socialization outcomes actually

occur? What outcomes actually occur? When, and under what circumstances? How are socialization outcomes related

to the manner, nature, and type of influences that occurred during sport involvement?

Tentative Findings Family and peers clearly more

influential than the school in childhood At adolescence family becomes less

influential and same sex peers more influential

More school opportunities for girls may provide a more conducive environment for girls competitive sport experience

Questions to Study Are parents aware of how their daily

activities and practices undermine the principle of equal treatment?

Have trends in parental behavior changed substantially or not?

How do daughters who become involved in sport view their parents’ sport behavior?

Sex Differences in Sport Socialization In the early years, more similar than

differentiated Active parents have active children,

with boys being more active Parents who enjoy physical activity

encourage their children By Grade 1, children “know” their sport

ability, enjoyment, and usefulness

Differences Continued By Grade 1, children monitor parents’

cues for importance of doing well Children’s perceptions of competence

related to parents perceptions Lower parental pressure r.elated to

higher enjoyment

Differences, Continued Parents encourage sons more than

daughters & that affects child’s competence perception

Adolescents spend little time in sports even though sport is one of the most positive activities they experience

Adolescent activities continue to be highly gender stereotyped

Older women & Sport Socialization Beliefs about potential risks of

vigorous exercise may limit participation

Research findings indicate that women are more durable than men from a physiological standpoint.

One of the certain benefits of physical activity is health improvement

Old Age and The Aging Process Women seem to internalize false

notions Society reinforces those notions So, even in older years, women are

subject to gender role stereotypes.

Conclusions The issue of female sport socialization

has greater social and political implications than mere research findings of studies in micro-sociology or psychology.

Female participation in sport is related to the core ideas society holds about gender, equality, hierarchy, and physicality.