Children and gender roles

Expectations for boys and girls

Sir, – Paul Murphy correctly points out that we live in a deeply gendered society which creates certain expectations for boys and girls, and laudably intends to support his child whether the child wishes to play football or go dancing (Parenting, March 14th).

Paul Murphy also intends to tell his child: “You decide whether you are a boy or a girl.”

In our society, how can a child make such a decision other than on the basis of those expectations? It is regressive not progressive for a child to decide “I like dancing so I am a girl” or “I like football so I am a boy.” – Yours, etc,

ELEANOR O’KEEFFE,

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Dublin 8.