A Strong foundation of healthy opposite-sex friendships is knowing how to respect the opposite sex. Children pick up behaviour and habits which they see or hear. Parents should take extra effort into showing them how to respect the opposite sex.

Soumya, Kabir, Mom and Dad were sitting at the dinner table. You could tell by the way Kabir was behaving that he wanted to tell his dad something but wasn’t able to. Soumya knew what it was. Earlier in the day, he was driving his car and crashed it into a parked car. He knew that if he told Dad, he would be grounded. Finally, Dad looked up and asked Kabir what was bothering him. Kabir gathered some courage and told him that he got into an accident. His dad immediately responded, “Was the other driver a female driver? Female drivers are the worst drivers!” Kabir saw his chance and instantly went with that story.

A few days later, Soumya was up for her driving test. Mom hugged her and wished her luck. Mom asked Kabir to wish his sister as well. Kabir was not in a good mood and didn’t show any interest in wishing Soumya. Just as she was about to leave, Kabir shouted across the room, “Soumya, I think you are just wasting your time. Anyways, you will never be as good as me.” He laughed and continued eating his cereal.

A few days later, Soumya came home crying. She went directly into her room. Her family tried to talk to her, but wouldn’t open the door. She requested for some time and her family gave her that. A day later, Mom went to her room and sat down beside her. Soumya was ready to talk and told her that there was a boy in her school who was really mean to her. Yesterday, he pulled a really mean prank on her in the classroom. Mom consoled her and said, “All boys are the same. They are always mean to girls.”

Kabir thinks female can’t drive and Soumya thinks all boys are mean.

Home is the primary source of learning how relationships are nurtured. As children are growing, parents teach them valuable life lessons, yet they forget to build the very foundation of every relationship: respecting the opposite sex. Unknowingly, Mom and Dad said things which contributed to building prejudices. These prejudices, sometimes, cultivate negative emotions and feelings towards the opposite sex. Parents can help bring in gender equality in its true sense by respecting each other and breaking stereotypes at home. Dad can serve Mom some days; Mom can help in getting the car fixed; Dad can cook breakfast; Mom can watch TV while Dad helps kids with their homework. Parents should break this circle to teach their kids how to respect the opposite sex.

Watch what you say. There have been many days when we have sat in front of the TV or joined protests in favour of gender equality, but we tend to still let go these small little remarks that put down the opposite sex.

Gender stereotyping also evident from the way kids play games. Let your son play with the kitchen set or your daughter with action figures. Don’t be shocked if your son wants a Hello Kitty or your daughter a Spiderman themed party. Observe how and what kinds of games kids are playing. Show them games that talk about opposite-sex friendship and how can we respect the opposite sex. With these small little steps, you can help turn the wheels in a better direction. Be an example to your family, friends and society. Your children are the change you want to see.

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