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Gender Equity in Schools
Is Your Daughter Being Forced to Choose Between Pretty and Smart?
By Paul Hartwick
Even if your daughter doesn't show an affection for science and math, gently encourage her to keep working at it. Encourage your son to give the humanities – like languages and social sciences – a try. Let kids know it's always good to be well-rounded.
3. Praise appropriately.
Don't just praise your daughter for her appearance and neatness. Tell her you're proud of her skills and ideas. Don't just praise your son for being aggressive or physically gifted. Tell him you're pleased with the way he conducts himself and controls – and shows – his emotions.
4. Don't rescue girls or make excuses for boys.
Research shows that providing ready answers for girls actually undermines their confidence. If you're raising a son, you don't want to let him act in an inappropriate manner because "boys will be boys."
5. Push brains over beauty.
Parents of daughters between the ages of 12 and 18 know this might be easier said than done, but encourage your daughter to focus on schoolwork, activities and career planning, Kerr says. Don't encourage her to evaluate herself in terms of her attractiveness or her relationships. Many parents, consciously or not, push their daughters to value being popular over being smart.
6. Follow your instincts.
Ensuring your child gets a fare shake in their school life, often starts at home with the fundamentals. "I want to instill in my children a solid work ethic, a sense of self-advocacy and pride," says Finter, who will soon be a mother. "I will certainly balance my time between riding their tails for what they should be doing and cheering loudly when they reach their goals."
