Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Impact of Child Care on Gender Role Development and Gender Stereotypes

  • Published:
Early Childhood Education Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Research has shown that gender role development is socially constructed and learned from birth. In this study, the impact of child care and the interactions that take place there are examined, with a focus on gender behavior and stereotypes. Observation data and analysis are presented. Themes representing gender stereotypes and the breaking of gender barriers are examined, and the role that caregivers can play in the fostering of gender-fair behaviors is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Alloway, N. (1995). Foundation stones: The construction of gender in early childhood. Carlton Vic 3053, Australia: Curriculum Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association of University Women. (1992). The AAUW report: How schools shortchange girls. Washington, DC: AAUW Educational Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chick, K., & Heilman-Houser, R. A. (2000). Children's literature choices: Gender stereotypes prevail. Pennsylvania Reads: Journal of the Keystone State Reading Association, 1(2), 3–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, K. (1998). Combating gender disparity in education: Guidelines for early childhood educators. Early Childhood Education Journal, 26(2), 83–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fennimore, B. (2000). Talk matters: Refocusing the language of public schooling. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henkin, R. (1998). Who's invited to share: Using literacy to teach for equity and social justice. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pidgeon, S. (1994). Learning and reading gender. In M. Barrs & S. Pidgeon (Eds.), Reading the difference (pp. 20–34). York, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollack, W. (1998). Real boys: Rescuing our sons from the myths of boyhood. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadker, M., & Sadker, D. (1994). Failing at fairness: How our schools cheat girls. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims, M., Hutchins, T., & Taylor, M. (1998). Gender segregation in young childen's conflict behavior in child care settings. Child Study Journal, 28(1), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne, B. (1993). Gender play: Girls and boys in school. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walkerdine, V. (1998). Counting girls out: Girls and mathematics. London: The Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA, 16601

    Kay A. Chick

  2. Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

    Rose Ann Heilman-Houser

  3. Penn State Altoona, PA

    Maxwell W. Hunter

Authors
  1. Kay A. Chick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rose Ann Heilman-Houser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maxwell W. Hunter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chick, K.A., Heilman-Houser, R.A. & Hunter, M.W. The Impact of Child Care on Gender Role Development and Gender Stereotypes. Early Childhood Education Journal 29, 149–154 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014528424032

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014528424032

Search

Navigation