Heroines: Limited Effects of an Educational Program With Counter-Stereotypical Female Role Models on Gender Schemas in Middle Childhood

Interventions in which people are exposed to counter-stereotypical role models are often used for breaking gender stereotypes. Most gender role-model interventions focus on adolescents and emerging adults. Yet, middle childhood might be a highly effective period for changing gender stereotypes because children are still learning about gender and gender roles. Therefore, this study examined the effects of a newly developed educational program with counter-stereotypical female heroines, on children's gender schemas and self-esteem. Differences between boys and girls in the effects of the intervention were also investigated. A sample of 125 Dutch children (53% girls, 7-11 years old) completed a quantitative survey (assessing gender schemas, self-esteem) in class before and after completing the Heroines program with their teachers. Results showed that the program reduced children's gender stereotypes about activities, but did not lead to change in five other gender schemas or self-esteem. Thus, the Heroines program had modest effects on some gender schemas, whereas most gender schemas did not change. This limited change might be due to the relatively short duration of the program, its broad nature, and the possible resistance of gender schemas to change as they have been formed over years in environments that are filled with gender-stereotypical information.