CC 3.1 Gender Roles in Parenting

Traditionally, parents have always been known as the sweet loving mother, and the gruff and fun father. These personas are influenced by gender roles; however, this is not how every mother and father parent. Everyone is different.

Because females are known to be kind, loving, and gentle, they are more fit for emotional nourishing a child. Males are known to be ruff and gruff, yet fun and energetic. These traits make them more fit for discipline, and horseplay. According to To What Extent is Parenting Influenced by Gender Roles, paragraph one, line three, a "gruff daddy just might place a magic kiss on his daughters knee when no one else is looking", instead of telling her to shake it off. Females and males often share traits that would stereotypically be traits the opposite gender should hold. Gender roles have a great influence on parenting techniques; however, mothers are capable of letting themselves become a mother bear; fierce, protective, and gruff, just as fathers are capable of being a big teddy bear; soft, loving, and cuddly.

When bonding with a child, gender roles have a great affect on how one chooses how to bond with their little ones. The last line of paragraph three claims that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says "87 percent of moms and 73 percent of dads report showing their children affection daily". Mothers being more feminine, often choose activities that require close contact such as; snuggling up and reading a book. Fathers are more masculine prefer activities such as tossing a football, or outdoor activities. While doing outdoor activities, there are not many chances for affection to be shown. Instead of cuddling up with a warm fuzzy blanket, and "I love you", fathers tend to give a pat on the back, and "good job". However, some mothers like to toss footballs, and some fathers like to snuggle up and read a book. 

Also, learning to communicate from a parent greatly impacts the way a child grows as a person. In paragraph four, sentence four, the author claims that "fathers play a critical role in their children entering successful, happy relationships". Children learn what their parents model. Mothers are more positive, calm, and nonverbal; giving smiles and snuggles. This teaches children to be positive and nice to others, benefiting them in being able to make friends, and find partners in the future. Fathers are more blunt and straight forward, helping them learn how to be assertive, and honest. This benefits them build confidence against possible bullies at school and to have a backbone. 

Being a mother of a son, I know that gender does not limit you of activities, or abilities. Although making mud pies is not a hobby of mine, my son loves it. Anything that makes him happy, I will do. Just because I am female does not mean I cannot make mud pies, toss the football, or play with trucks and tractors. 

Stereotypes and traditions often make people think that they are limited in parenthood, and often affects their children. Happiness is what is most important for a child, and the parent. Gender roles are sometimes good, but can also complicate ways of teaching and thinking.