Families can make a big difference in breaking down old ways of thinking about gender roles and promoting fairness. Here are some simple ideas families can try:

1. Share Parenting Duties

• Both parents should help with household chores and taking care of the kids. For example, in Sweden, dads spend about 48% of their time on chores, while in other European countries, it’s only about 35%.
• Encourage both parents to take time off work to care for their children. In Sweden, 80% of fathers take this time, which is a lot higher than the global average of around 25%.

2. Encourage Open Talks

• Start conversations about gender roles at home. Studies show that talking about these issues helps kids understand them better. In fact, 78% of kids say they’ve learned about gender roles from family discussions.
• Teach kids to question stereotypes they see around them. This helps them think critically and understand themselves better.

3. Show Equality in Action

• Act in ways that don’t assign chores based on whether someone is a boy or a girl. Research shows that kids copy what their parents do. About 57% of kids believe their parents set examples of how to treat genders equally.
• Support kids in exploring different interests and hobbies, no matter their gender. Around 65% of girls and 72% of boys feel they can do any activity when their families back them up.

4. Focus on Education and Media

• Give kids access to books and shows that show different gender roles and relationships. Surveys show that seeing diverse representations can help kids have a better understanding of gender.

By using these simple strategies, families can help challenge old gender norms and create a fairer environment for kids in the future.