Shaping Gender: The Role of Family in Children's Identity Construction

The document examines how gender stereotypes influence identity construction in children aged 9 to 12. Stereotypes act as normative frameworks that shape the perception of masculine and feminine roles, which children internalize from an early age. Using gender schema theory, the study investigated how children represent these roles in activities and narratives, aiming to understand how the family serves as both a reference and an agent in socializing and forming stereotypes. To do this, family representations in idea-completion exercises and creative productions of 186 children were analyzed, providing insights into the perpetuation or questioning of these cultural norms. The results show a strong association with traditional roles in parental figures: the father as provider and protector, and the mother as caregiver, reflecting conventional stereotypes. However, modest changes are also observed, with an emerging participation of the father in domestic roles. In contrast, siblings and cousins have less rigid and more diverse roles, especially in recreational activities, suggesting a more flexible space for gender identity exploration. Grandparents and uncles, on the other hand, often appear as extensions of parental roles, reinforcing the transmission of traditional norms. This exposes the need for educational interventions that promote a more equitable view, allowing children to explore their gender identities authentically and without rigid cultural constraints.