Modern Western society is characterized by a great deal of gender equality. Moreover, people tend to
refer to such countries as Canada, the USA, European countries as egalitarian societies. It is natural to
see women working in various areas and even occupy high posts in the sphere of politics, business,
science. However, women often face the issues associated with the so-called glass ceiling in many areas.
This can be explained by the fact that gender stereotypes are still persistent. According to various
studies, these stereotypes are often developed within families and further transferred to the next
generations.
Researchers report that parents model gender roles to their children. Women are expected to have the
so-called second shifts even in families where both parents work full time. The second shift is a set of
household and childcare duties carried out at home after a full day of work. It has been acknowledged
that the spread of gender stereotypes and their prevalence in families can be regarded as an influential
factor contributing to the disproportionate distribution of roles in the working environment. This paper
focuses on a study that explores the extent to which parents model gender roles to their children. The
study is also considered in terms of the existing research on the matter.
The researchers pay specific attention to the way fathers and mothers affect their children’s views. It is
noteworthy that daughters are more subjected to their fathers’ influence and often adopt their views on
roles they can perform. The study in question includes findings that are consistent with other studies.
The researchers stress that parents inflict their own implicit and explicit beliefs on their children, which
contributes to the spread of gender stereotypes. Children still believe that it is more appropriate for a
woman to stay home and perform all the household duties while the father should work outside the
house. Interestingly, such beliefs acquire peculiar forms, and working women are perceived negatively.
This can be explained by the fact that people develop their beliefs in their childhood, and although the
society has become more egalitarian, it is far from being equal when it comes to gender roles within
families and in the working place.