Gender Diffrences
Gender Differences – Are Boys and Girls Different At This Age?
Gender identity (that is, a child’s sense of “boyness” and girlness”) develops throughout childhood. And, believe it or not, boys and girls do behave differently even as early as the age of one or two years.
You only need to spend a couple of minutes observing the children you mind to discover that there are clear gender differences in many aspects of their young lives, including:
- clothes. Although boys and girls often wear the same type of clothes (sweatshirt, jogging pants, trainers) the chances are that amongst the children you care for, more girls than boys wear clothes that are coloured pink or pale yellow. Boys tend to wear darker colours.
- games. Boys often prefer rough-and-tumble games, with lots of pretend-play fighting, while girls are less involved in these activities. Boys usually prefer outdoor play while girls generally like more sedate activities.
- aggression. Physical aggression (for instance, hitting, kicking) is more commonly seen between boys when they disagree than between girls. When girls bicker they are more likely to use words rather than physical aggression.
- independence. Girls typically achieve independence at an earlier age than boys. For example, they are quicker at learning how to dress themselves and how to manage bowel and bladder control independently.
- risk-taking. Boys tend to be more adventurous than girls; they are more likely to take risks. Yet there is evidence that parents tacitly accept this type of behaviour from boys, but not from girls, and so inadvertently encourage such differences.
- cooperation. Girls are quicker at learning how to co-operate with each other. From the age of two years, they are often able to play quietly together in games, while boys of the same age are more likely to bicker with each other in that situation.
Nature or Nurture
A question that continues to puzzle psychologists is whether these gender differences are innate or learned – in other words, whether gender differences are influenced by biological differences between boys and girls or whether they arise because parents and carers (and society) have different expectations of boys and girls.
The biological explanation of gender differences rests on scientific facts, for example, the process of hormone secretion. Researchers have shown that as soon as they are born - and even during the pregnancy itself – boys have a higher level of testosterone, which has been linked to aggression and activity. It’s hard to deny that this could play a part in determining gender differences.
Likewise there are those who claim that since women are the only sex physically equipped to bear children, they must have a biological instinct to be caring and domesticated; and since men have to protect and feed their families, they must have a biological instinct to be aggressive. That’s why, continue these theorists, boys enjoy aggressive play while girls enjoy playing with soft toys and dolls.
In contrast, the social theory of gender differences points to the fact that parents react differently to boys and girls from the start – do you know any parents who would really buy pink clothes for their baby boy or would buy him a Barbie doll for his birthday? – and therefore create sex differences. Research studies have found, for example, that parents often reprimand young girls for aggressive behaviour even though they tolerate the same level of aggression from boys, and that parents show more interest in their child’s play when it involves toys normally associated with that gender.
There is no definite answer to this debate. True, most psychologists recognise that there is a biological component of sex differences. However, most also take the view that parental and social influences are more important.
Differences in Brain Development
The front part of a child’s brain (situated behind the forehead) is responsible for thoughts and ideas; it is also responsible for walking, talking, and some aspects of his/her feelings. This part of the brain grows rapidly from birth, especially as he nears his first birthday. That’s why he shows early signs of starting to talk and walk around that time.
Doctors know that there are significant differences in brain growth between boys and girls. Scientists have found that when an infant babbles, the left side (left hemisphere) of his brain is used – and when he tries to solve a puzzle, the right side (right hemisphere) of his brain is used. Basically, the left side controls speech and language while the right side controls spatial patterns and visual memory.
Research results reveal that girls develop the left side of the brain first, while boys develop the right side first; certainly this explains why girls tend to acquire language skills earlier than boys. However, this gender difference evens out by the age of eight years. At that point, boys and girls have similar abilities when it comes to language and spatial skills.
And during the preschool years, a boy’s overall brain is roughly ten per cent bigger than a girl’s brain – though that certainly does not mean boys are smarter than girls at that stage of development!
Choosing Toys
As Christmas approaches, the children you mind will already have their toy lists prepared! Chat to them about their preferences – don’t be surprised to find a distinct gender divide. Most boys will select electronic high-tech toys, often with a bash-em-up dimension, whereas most girls will choose toys that are creative, interactive and that don’t involve rushing around energetically.
Of course, there are some children who don’t conform to sex-stereotypes, like the girl who wants a football and the boy who prefers a doll. Parents may seek your advice on this as an early years professional, and you can reassure them that there is no need for them to be concerned by this play preference.
A boy won’t come to any psychological harm from playing with toys normally associated with girls, and vice versa. His interest in toys varies from year to year anyway, and the chances are that within a few months he’ll focus on a new activity altogether. Far better for parents to let their toddler get on with play without interference as a result of their own gender prejudices. Parental disapproval of their child’s play preferences can reduce his self-esteem, create anxiety and make him confused.
Five Tips for Gender-Free Play
- be self-aware. Think about your own attitudes to boys and girls. Be prepared to give as much encouragement to a girl when she shows signs of being adventurous as you would to a boy in the same situation.
- give each child a range of toys. There is no point in keeping soft toys and dolls away from the boys you mind, while you surround the girls with them. Don’t worry if a boy you mind shows interest in toys you normally associate with girls.
- provide non-sexist books. Consider the books and stories that you have for the children. Ideally they should portray central characters which do not conform to fixed ideas about girls and boys. Books can have heroines – the rescuer doesn’t always have to be a man.
- use gentle persuasion. Use measured encouragement to persuade the children to broaden their play activities, but don’t make it a source of confrontation. If a child consistently refuses to take part in an activity usually preferred by topposite gender, allow that choice.
- avoid gender-based language. For example, try not to describe specific colours as being “suitable for girls”; and try not to describe a risk-taking girl as a “tomboy.” Your language about gender influences the perceptions of the children you mind.
Written by
Dr Richard Woolfson
www.richardwoolfson.co.uk
Ireland's leading Early Years education Magazine
