When a child hears "boys will be boys" or "stop being such a girl," they're not just hearing words—they're learning what society expects from them. These everyday phrases shape how young children see themselves and others, often before they've started school.
By age two, children already develop an awareness of gender characteristics. This means the window to build their understanding of equality opens early—and as parents, we have the power to shape that foundation.
The good news? Gender equality starts at home, and you don't need to be perfect to make progress. Here's how parents can open their children's minds to equal opportunities, backed by what the evidence tells us about raising confident, fair-minded young people.
Why Gender Equality Education Matters
Teaching children about gender equality isn't just the right thing to do—it creates better outcomes for everyone. According to the Education Policy Institute's 2025 Annual Report, girls currently outperform boys across most education phases in the UK, but significant variation exists by subject. Boys typically excel in maths at primary level, whilst girls achieve higher grades overall at GCSE and beyond.
These gaps aren't about ability—they're about expectations, confidence and the messages children absorb from the world around them. When we challenge gender stereotypes early, we help all children reach their full potential, regardless of whether they're boys or girls.
Globally, barriers remain stark. UNESCO data from March 2024 shows that whilst 50 million more girls enrolled in school since 2015, poverty, early marriage and discriminatory practices still prevent many girls and women from exercising their right to education. Save the Children works in communities worldwide to break down these barriers—and what happens in our homes matters too.
Five Ways to Teach Gender Equality at Home
1. Role Modelling Sets the Standard
Your home is where your children first learn about fairness. From the earliest age, encourage them to see themselves as unique individuals—not as "boys" or "girls" with predetermined paths.
What this looks like in practice:
Share household chores and decision-making with your partner as evenly as possible
Rotate tasks so every family member feels responsible for helping out
Praise independent effort and nurture distinct interests within each child
Ensure every voice is respected and fully heard, regardless of age or gender
Outside your household, point out successful people across sport, business, science and politics—and make sure your children see diversity in leadership. When young children encounter a wide variety of strong leaders, thinkers and athletes early on, they're less likely to put limits on themselves or others.
Top tip: Keep your dialogue about high-profile personalities objective rather than personal. It's easy to unconsciously create gender stereotypes through the language we use, even when discussing role models.
2. Mix Up Toys, Books and Activities
Research continues to explore innate gender preferences for toys versus socialisation, but personality traits and birth order also influence what each child gravitates towards. The key is providing access to variety.
Create an environment where children can explore different types of play without judgement. Rotate toys, games and books regularly—fiction and non-fiction, building blocks and creative arts, active play and quiet reflection.
Why variety matters: When children play with diverse materials, they develop a broader range of skills. Problem-solving, creativity, physical coordination and emotional intelligence all benefit from varied experiences—not gendered ones.
Sport can be an amazing equaliser for young children, who enjoy coming together and competing as teams. For younger ages especially, focus on emphasising teamwork and skill-building rather than separating by gender. This helps children see each other as capable teammates first.
3. Make History and Global Awareness Come Alive
Awareness of the wider world is critically important. Talk through history with your children in age-appropriate ways so they understand the progress society has made—women gaining the right to own property, access education and vote.
But children should also understand that whilst some countries have made tremendous progress, others continue to face significant challenges. In many countries experiencing poverty, access to education remains difficult, particularly for girls who are often the first to miss out when families face economic hardship.
UNICEF data from April 2025 reveals that nearly four in 10 adolescent girls and young women globally (39%) do not finish upper secondary school. For adolescent boys and young men, the rate is actually higher at 42%. These statistics show that whilst gender creates unique barriers, poverty and inequality affect all children—which is why organisations like Save the Children focus on reaching the most marginalised young people, regardless of gender.
How Save the Children helps: Through education programmes in some of the world's most challenging contexts, Save the Children works to ensure every child can learn and thrive. This includes providing safe spaces for girls' education and working with communities to challenge harmful practices that keep children out of school.
4. Have Conversations, Not Lectures
Children learn best through dialogue, not instruction. When you notice gender stereotypes in media, at school or in everyday life, use them as conversation starters rather than lectures.
Questions that open minds:
"Why do you think they said that?"
"Do you think that's fair? Why or why not?"
"Can you think of examples that show something different?"
"How would you feel if someone said that about you?"
These questions help children develop critical thinking about gender roles rather than simply accepting what they see and hear.
5. Focus on Freedom, Not Policing
Constantly calling things out as sexist can feel negative and isn't always productive. The less of an issue we make of gender constructs, the more children can feel free to be themselves.
With good role models around them, access to varied resources, activities with mixed groups of children, and natural curiosity about the world, the next generation can thrive and progress even further than we have.
Trust that when you create an environment of equality, your children will internalize those values without needing constant correction.
What You Can Do Today
Gender equality isn't built overnight—it's created through countless small moments of fairness, representation and opportunity. As parents, we shape those moments every day.
Take action now:
Review how household responsibilities are divided in your family
Add books to your child's shelf featuring diverse characters and non-traditional roles
Notice the language you use—are you accidentally reinforcing stereotypes?
Talk to your children about people breaking barriers in fields they find interesting
Support organisations like Save the Children that work to give every child equal opportunities to learn and succeed
When we raise children who believe in equality, we're not just changing individual lives—we're building a fairer future for everyone. And that future starts in your home, today.
Key Facts: Gender and Education in the UK
In 2021/22, 54% of women progressed to higher education by age 19, compared to only 40% of men
The gender gap in secondary schools has remained at 4.5 months (favouring girls) since 2023—the narrowest gap recorded since 2011
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start teaching my child about gender equality?
Start from birth. By age two, children already develop awareness of gender characteristics, so the earlier you model equality and challenge stereotypes, the more natural it becomes for them.How do I explain gender equality to a young child?
Keep it simple and concrete. Focus on fairness: "Everyone can play with any toys they like," "Mummies and daddies both help at home," "Girls and boys can be anything they want to be." Use examples from your child's own life and the people they see around them.What if my child's school reinforces gender stereotypes?
Have a conversation with teachers about your concerns. Many schools are actively working to challenge stereotypes but may not realise when they're creeping in. You can also counterbalance at home by discussing what you've noticed and asking your child what they think about it.Should I correct other adults who use gendered language around my child?
It depends on the situation and relationship. Sometimes a gentle correction works well; other times, a conversation with your child afterwards about what they heard can be more effective. Focus on building your child's critical thinking skills so they can evaluate these messages themselves.How can I support gender equality beyond my own family?
Support organisations working on education equality globally, advocate for inclusive policies in your child's school, and speak up when you see unfairness in your community. Small actions create ripples that reach far beyond your immediate circle.
This blog has been repurposed from Save the Children's Wonderbooks for our UK website.
About the Author Erica Jalli is a mother of three based in London who regularly writes about parenting.
