GENDER EDUCATION OF CHILDREN IN A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article explores separate aspects of gender education for preschoolers within the family environment. It is emphasized that children's reproduction (imitation) of the behavior of their own gender group within the family is a crucial mechanism for learning and development of cognitive processes, and a necessary condition for their psychological wellbeing. It is emphasized that at the early and preschool stages of a child's development, gender stereotypes play a positive role as they act as tools for primary gender identification and socialization. They serve as «navigators» for orienting the child within social reality because they simplify the perception of social roles. This, in turn, helps the child quickly assimilate basic norms of social interaction, which positively influences self-awareness, reduces anxiety, and provides a crucial sense of security. It has been clarified that gender roles are mastered by the child within the family environment through differential imitation, the reinforcement of specific behaviors by parents, and their differing attitudes towards sons and daughters. Close relatives demonstrate a system of coordinates in which the child learns to correlate themselves with their sex (identification) and understand how they should behave (gender role) in order to receive approval and support. Specifically, they select clothing, toy assortments, and room design; they spend time differently with a son versus a daughter, offering different forms of leisure; they apply distinct methods of communication, commentary, personal evaluations, and physical contact, among other means. It is emphasized that gender upbringing in the family is influenced by various factors: its structure, climate, parental views on education, and their socio-economic status and level of education. Today, this process is changing, and therefore it should be directed toward encouraging the child to independently choose their models of behavior, interests, and hobbies. Gender education does not impose ready-made solutions; instead, it «nudges» the child toward self-awareness of their desires, «delicately explains» the differences between boys and girls, and promotes the realization of gender equality (parity).