Countering gender stereotypes

Gender stereotypes are beliefs in the form of mental shortcuts or generalizations that assign specific characteristics and roles to people based on their gender. For example, gender stereotypes include believing that women are gentle or that men are leaders.  

These beliefs are the result of both the education received and the surrounding culture. However, they represent obstacles to achieving equality in fact between women and men. 

Without necessarily realizing it, women and men conform to the stereotypical norms to which they are exposed. Gender stereotypes are then transmitted to children from a very young age, particularly, and often unconsciously, by their parental role models. These stereotypes may have harmful effects on self-esteem, particularly during adolescence.  

Although the situation has changed in recent decades, gender stereotypes are still obstacles to the development of the full potential of women and men as well as to gender equality. Women continue to suffer the most from the inequalities that result from these stereotypes in most aspects of life.  

Here are some examples of persistent gender stereotypes at work:

• Care occupations, such as providing care to the sick or to little ones, are mostly held by women, in particular because they are educated to take care of others and these occupations are considered more “natural” for them.
• Men occupy the majority of decision-making positions because they have always assumed them, so they are historically considered more competent in these positions.

Within couple relationships, other forms of gender stereotypes can surface: 

• Stereotypes associated with expected behaviours of compliant, gentle women and masculine, dominant men can contribute to the dynamics of domestic abuse.
• Pornography can result in women and men reproducing stereotypical gender roles. As a consequence, women continue to be perceived as sexual objects, while men feel obliged to be sexual performers.

Gender stereotypes are also present within families and at home:

• Family and household responsibilities, as well as the mental burden that they entail, are predominantly carried out by women, particularly because of the belief that they are better suited to these responsibilities.
• Occasional exterior chores (mowing the lawn, shovelling snow, taking out the garbage) are predominantly done by men because of the belief that they are more “physical” and more competent to do them.

Many elements in society contribute to reinforcing gender stereotypes, but it is also possible to deconstruct them. By raising public awareness of the presence of these stereotypes and the importance of adopting a more egalitarian dialogue and attitude, we help to deconstruct them. Everyone can play a part in this; for example, when parents adopt an egalitarian and un‑stereotyped sharing of family tasks and responsibilities, children tend to perceive the roles with flexibility, regardless of the person’s gender.

Please see the Boîte à outils SansStéréotypes (in French only)  for possible solutions.