Are you holding your own daughter back? Here are 5 ways to raise girls to be leaders. - The Washington Post

by ParentCo. July 28, 2015

As the parent of a little girl, I can say for certain that raising her to be a strong leader is an everyday consideration. Yet in reviewing the research of Harvard Graduate School of Education's Making Caring Common project, it's apparent that gender bias makes that an uphill battle.
The research found that 23 percent of girls and 40 percent of boys preferred male political leaders instead of female, while only 8 percent of girls and 4 percent of boys preferred female political leaders. Similarly, 36 percent of boys preferred male business leaders to female. (There was no significant difference between girls’ preference for male versus female business leaders.) On the school-age level, students were least likely to support granting more power to student councils if white girls were in charge and most likely when white boys were. That’s right. Even mothers and girls were more likely to favor giving power to student councils led by boys rather than by girls. Weissbourd’s report cited a 2013 Gallup poll found that 35 percent of all respondents would prefer to have a male boss while only 23 percent of respondents would prefer to have a female boss. The preference for male bosses was even stronger among female respondents.
So how can we do better? Richard Weissbourd, the Harvard psychologist who runs the Making Caring Common project offers 5 ways to prevent gender bias. Read them at The Washington Post: Are you holding your own daughter back? Here are 5 ways to raise girls to be leaders. - The Washington Post


ParentCo.

Author



Also in Conversations

baby approaching mens black sunglasses
Why "Work Life Balance" Is Too Simplistic for Modern Dads

by ParentCo.

There's been a lot of change for dads in a short period of time. Today they work as many hours as previous generations, but do three times the childcare and twice the housework as dads a generation ago. In this interview, Scott Behson, PhD, author of "The Working Dad's Survival Guide" talks about how working dads can create a more balanced life of family, work, and self, and how employers can help make it happen.

Continue Reading

baby playing
How to Get Things Done While Taking Care of Your Baby

by Charlie Fletcher

With a few practical tips and strategies in place, you can stay on top of your other responsibilities so you don’t feel overwhelmed by too many changes at once.

Continue Reading

mothers with childern
How to Make Friends as a New Parent

by Charlie Fletcher

Being a new parent can feel lonely. Here are some ways to get out there and make new friends - and nurture your existing relationships (even while exhausted).

Continue Reading