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- $Unique_ID{BRK00294}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Can Parents' Actions Influence Their Daughter's Femininity?}
- $Subject{parents femininity role models Community Social gender socialization
- nonverbal clues reinforce appropriate behavior behaviors genders}
- $Volume{Q-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Can Parents' Actions Influence Their Daughter's Femininity?
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- QUESTION: Is it true that parents' actions can influence their daughter's
- femininity?
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- ANSWER: Femininity and masculinity is part of role socialization, the way all
- of us learn the subtle and not-so-subtle points of the gender role that
- society assigns men and women. Parents have a strong role in gender role
- socialization, primarily by serving as role models. Children see their
- parents taking care of the house, going to work, and engaging leisure
- activities. These nonverbal lessons teach children how adult men and women
- behave in society. Although girls are exposed to both masculine and feminine
- behaviors, they pick up a larger proportion of the feminine behaviors that
- they see.
- Parents reinforce nonverbal clues by reinforcing what they think is
- appropriate behavior for their daughters. But a narrowly defined view of
- what is feminine can become a straightjacket. Too much restriction can limit
- the activities that a girl feels comfortable doing and reduce her choices in
- careers and accomplishments as she becomes older.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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