Based on the reading, Risman divided the theories of children’s socialization into three categories, namely: (a) self-gendering where proponents have argued that children play an active role in gender acquisition; (b) parent/adult-dominated structure where socialization of children is seen as a conduit of information from parent to child; (c) children-participation where it is believed that children are influenced not only by the adult world but also by each other.2.
What did Risman learn about the ways in which both their parents’ ideologies and the children’s own experiences shaped the children’s conceptions of gender in the “fair families” she studied?In the study that was conducted, Risman learned that the children have imbibed the views of their respective parents that men and women are equal. However, the ideologies are lost when real-life experiences are brought forward. In the end, boys exuded masculine attitudes or personalities while the feminine way of thinking and acting prevailed with the girls.The study proved that while the children were raised in a family that holds sacred the concept of gender equality, children continue to depend on their respective life experiences for understanding the concept of gender.
More importantly, Risman also found out that the children in the so-called fair families continued to grow happily and normally despite their families non-traditional view on gender equality.3. What does Risman’s research contribute to your understanding of how children learn gender?In my opinion, Risman’s research is very helpful in the sense that we get to see the difference between children raised in traditional families and the so-called fair families. I also began to realize that while the family plays an important role in molding the children’s belief when it comes to understanding gender, society, in general, and the school, in particular, continues to remain very influential in defining gender differences, if any.As noted in the conclusion of the study, parents may have a strong influence on their children’s gender perspective but it would still take a collective social effort to have a change in the way society views gender equality.
