Why Tackling Misogyny Starts in Childhood
As part of the Government’s plans to tackle violence against women and girls, greater emphasis is being placed on early intervention in schools. Teachers will be supported to recognise concerning attitudes in children and young adults, reflecting a growing understanding that ideas about respect, equality and relationships begin forming much earlier than you might expect.
For families, this isn’t about labelling children or expecting schools to ‘police’ behaviour. Instead, it’s a reminder that childhood is a crucial time for shaping how children understand relationships, power and respect.
Spotting Worrying Attitudes Early
In young children, unkind or stereotyped attitudes and behaviour will show up subtly through:
- Rigid ideas about “boys’ toys” and “girls’ toys”
- Dismissing girls’ voices or leadership in play
- Repeating language they’ve heard online or in everyday life that stereotypes girls
- Treating kindness or sensitivity as weakness
- Laughing along with sexist jokes without understanding their impact
These behaviours are rarely intentional. Children are absorbing what they see, hear and experience, both online and offline.
Why Are Schools Involved?
Teachers spend a significant amount of time observing children’s social interactions, making schools a natural place to notice patterns in behaviour. Training educators to recognise harmful attitudes early isn’t about punishment, it’s about intervening before ideas become fixed.
Just as schools support children with emotional regulation, friendship skills and resilience, helping children understand respect and equality is part of building a safe learning environment for everyone.
But schools can’t do this alone. Families play an even bigger role….
The Role Parents Play (Often Without Realising It)
Children learn far more from what adults do than what they say. Everyday moments send powerful messages:
- Who speaks and who is listened to at home
- How adults talk about others’ bodies, emotions or choices
- How conflict is handled
- Whether care, gentleness and empathy are valued in all children, not just girls
When boys are encouraged to express emotions, show kindness and seek help, they’re less likely to turn frustration into anger or dominance later on.
Why Play Matters More Than Ever
Play is one of the most effective tools we have for shaping social understanding.
Through play, children practise:
- Empathy (taking on different roles and perspectives)
- Communication (negotiating rules and resolving conflict)
- Respect (sharing space, ideas and leadership)
- Emotional regulation (coping when things don’t go their way)
Open-ended, imaginative play, especially mixed gender play, helps children challenge stereotypes naturally. When children are free to choose roles without judgement, they begin to understand that ability and kindness aren’t tied to gender.
Practical Ways Parents Can Support Respectful Attitudes
1. Challenge Stereotyping
If you hear “That’s for girls” or “Boys don’t do that,” respond calmly with:
“Anyone can enjoy that.” or “People like different things.”
Small corrections add up over time.
2. Talk About Feelings – All of Them
Helping boys name emotions like sadness, jealousy or fear reduces the chance they’ll express them through anger or control.
3. Be Curious About Online Influences
Children often repeat language they don’t fully understand. If something feels off, ask:
“What do you think that means?” or “How do you think that made them feel?”
This opens dialogue rather than shutting it down.
4. Choose Play That Encourages Cooperation
Games, role-play sets and creative activities that require teamwork help children practise fairness and turn-taking.
5. Model Respect in Everyday Life
Children notice how adults speak to each other, disagree, apologise and listen. These moments quietly shape their understanding of healthy relationships.
Why Early Support Is a Positive Step
The idea of spotting early signs of harmful attitudes can sound worrying, but in reality, it reflects a growing understanding that prevention works best when it starts early. Teaching children about respect isn’t about removing fun or freedom. It’s about giving them the tools they need to build strong relationships, handle emotions and social situations, and develop confidence without putting others down.
For parents, the takeaway is reassuring: you don’t need special training or perfect answers. Every conversation, play experience and moment of modelling kindness helps. By supporting empathy, equality and respectful behaviour from the earliest years, we give children, boys and girls alike, the foundations for safer, healthier relationships in the future.