Gender Stereotypes

“When boys are grown up, they work and exercise. When girls grow up, they have to stay at home and make food”. This is a real quote from a primary-aged boy in our research.

Our study found that children start to believe outdated gender stereotypes about who does and doesn’t belong in sport as young as 5 years old. These stereotypes take root, and have an impact far beyond childhood...

In primary school, girls are pushed to the side of the playground and are less likely to develop core skills like throwing, catching and kicking .

By high school, 43% of girls will disengage with sport completely, citing judgement, safety and periods as key barriers.

In adulthood, women are often juggling work, parenting and household responsibilities, leaving them less time to exercise. Menopause symptoms make it even harder for women to be active and by this stage, only 65% of women meet recommended activity levels. By later life, women will suffer higher rates of osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and other health conditions which may have been prevented or slowed through exercise

But the good news? Children aren’t born with stereotypes and bias baked in; we have the power to stop the cycle.

This hashtag#WorldChildrensDay, let’s set the younger generation free from the gender stereotypes that hold them back.