Interrupting Gender Bias and Expanding Equity in Youth Recreational Programming

Session Description: You may be aware of the negative impact of gender bias and stereotypes on certain groups of people. Did you know, though, that gender stereotypes develop as early as age 6 and negatively affect all genders, not just certain groups? These stereotypes can lead to a significant drop in self-esteem and induce self-harm among young people and have lasting effects into adulthood. As youth workers, we are uniquely poised to interrupt these biases early, thereby helping increase inclusion and appreciation of all genders, leading to greater gender equity in our communities. This session will explore the long-term impact of gender bias, examine where gender biases may be unintentionally reinforced in youth programming and discuss opportunities to make changes that interrupt those biases. In so doing, we begin to remove perceived gender-based limitations and create communities that are more inclusive and empowering for all.