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By: Emma Viens February 4, 2018 // 12:09 AM
Regardless to one’s cultural or ethnic backgrounds, lessons regarding gender roles are inevitably something that all young children are condemned to face; “What's expected of boys and girls, become entrenched in adolescence and have negative impacts that carry over into adulthood” (Dastagir).
A study conducted by the Global Early Adolescent Study, focusing on girls and boys between the ages of 10-14 residing in 15 different countries, concluded that these stereotypical gender roles are universal, and typically ingrained into a child’s beliefs by the age of ten.
The most distressing finding throughout the study, was the “still very consistent theme of patriarchy around the world” (Dastagir). The idea of patriarchy being so present in the lives of today’s youth is a dangerous thing, because it means that our next generation will continue the trend of being raised under the belief of male dominance, which threatens all the progress that has been made these last few years concerning gender equality.
Gender roles not only pose a threat to our future, but also to the general well-being of our children; “Gender stereotypes are destroying girls, and they're killing boys” (Dastagir).
An overwhelming assortment of unfavorable consequences come from young girls and boys conforming to gender stereotypes, with some ranging from a lack of confidence, to matters as severe as anxiety and depression, being more prone to substance abuse and violence, or even suicide.
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Works Cited
Dastagir, Alia E. “Gender Stereotypes Are Destroying Girls, and They're Killing Boys.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 22 Sept. 2017,
www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/09/21/gender-stereotypes-destroying-girls-and-theyre-killing-boys/688317001/.