Socialization and Gender Roles
Nevaeh Carter
Sociology 111
Amanda Callahoun
Socialization 2
Based on observation and personal experience, as early as initiation of pregnancy, most couples organize basic preparations for the coming of their new baby. These preparations include choosing of names whether for a boy or a girl, and going through an ultrasound scan to confirm the baby’s gender. As soon as couples find out their baby's gender, they start analyzing a theme for the baby's room, coordinating a baby shower, and buying clothes and toys among others.
In my family, couples who expect a baby boy tend to be more liberal during preparation process. This is due to a common notion that boys or men are robust and vigorous; therefore, do not have to be given special attention as compared to a common notion pertaining to girls or women as fragile and sensitive. During preparations such as preparing a theme for a baby room and buying clothes and toys, couples who expect a baby boy are more easy-going and liberal. Most common themes and designs that are chosen include robots, cars, bears, sports characters, etc. As one can notice, these themes and designs are generally associated with boys or men. For girls, couples tend to be more mindful and thorough in choosing themes and designs, which indicate frailty such as flowers, angels, …show more content…
During the birth of a child, hospital treatment and procedures are usually similar for boys and girls in my family. However, in some cases, parents request for special practices like ear-piercing for girls and circumcision for boys prior to hospital release. In terms of the hospital room, blue balloons are usually set for baby boys while pink balloons and flowers are set for baby girls. It is also noticeable that when a baby girl is brought to the mother's hospital room, the mother usually does not want the baby taken away from her. Mothers are especially to