Parental perceptions of gender-neutral parenting

As the primary agents of early socialisation, parents hold a formative role in communicating and shaping their children’s understanding of gender messages. While adult gender roles have become increasingly more egalitarian across society, parents continue to convey messages about gender roles to children that primarily reflect traditional stereotypes. Parents have expressed growing interest in raising children in ways that deemphasise gendered expectations on a child’s ability to explore opportunities and interests, known as gender-neutral parenting. This study aimed to examine parents’ views on gender-neutral parenting, assess their perceived motivators and barriers to its adoption, and investigate their preferences for the content of a parenting program intended to support gender-neutral parenting. We administered a mixed-method online survey to a community sample of Australian parents (M = 35.73 years, 90.1% female) with children aged 0–5 years. Reflexive thematic analysis, contextualised by mean-level quantitative ratings, found parents typically saw gender-neutral parenting as an important concept. However, various societal, community and family-level barriers were described that impeded their ability to implement it. Factors that facilitated gender-neutral parenting were also identified, including how discussing gender stereotypes with children may assist them to understand and potentially challenge restrictive attitudes and practices. We also present hypotheses for the continued tension between increasingly egalitarian adult gender roles and traditional stereotypes in parenting. Alongside new insights into content parents deemed useful to include in future parenting programs, these findings can enhance the knowledge and skills of parents to implement gender-neutral parenting. Gender-neutral parenting facilitates children to explore opportunities that are not solely based on gender stereotypes. A sample of Australian parents said gender-neutral parenting was important, but the concept itself was understood diversely. Family, community and societal-level factors created barriers to adopting gender-neutral parenting practices. Parents can help children understand and navigate gender stereotypes, and effect changes to gender norms. Our results may inform development of future parenting programs that support implementation of gender-neutral parenting.