Little kids get ideas about what it means to be a girl or boy from the world around them.

小孩子會從周遭環境去理解男生、女生代表的涵意。

From you and from other people in your family.

會從你，以及家庭裡的其他成員身上了去理解。

From TV, books, and movies.

會從電視、書籍以及電影中去理解。

And from other kids they know.

也會從其他小朋友身上理解。

It starts from the moment they're born.

他們從一出生就開始進行這種認知。

Think, gender reveal parties: pink nurseries for girls, blue ones for boys; princesses for girls, and superheroes for boys.

想想看，性別往往被二分化：女孩住在粉色育嬰室，男孩住在藍色育嬰室；女孩喜歡公主，男孩喜歡超人。

There's nothing wrong with blue or pink.

藍色、粉色本身沒有什麼問題。

But sometimes the toys, books, and words you choose can send the message that there's a right and wrong way for them to be a boy or girl.

但有時候你選擇的玩具、書籍和說出口的話可能無形中透露出，當男生或女生有標準對錯。

For example, if only little girls play with princess dolls and only little boys play with superheroes;

舉例來說，如果小女孩只玩公主娃娃、小男孩只玩超人遊戲；

It sends the message that girls should focus on looking pretty and finding a prince, while boys should focus on fighting and winning.

這傳遞了「女生應該注重於打扮得漂漂亮亮並找到自己的王子」，與「男生就應該打架並贏得勝利」的訊息。

When you pick a new toy or book, or sign your kid up for a new activity, ask yourself these questions:

當你為孩子挑玩具、買新書或替他們報名課程時，試著問自己這些問題：

Would I feel comfortable with this if my kid wasn't the gender they are?

今天如果我的孩子是其他性別，我還會選擇買這些玩具、書籍、課程給他們嗎？

Why or why not?

為什麼會，又為什麼不會呢？

Does this expand or limit my kid's expectations of who they could grow up to be?

我的選擇會擴展，還是會限制我孩子對於自己長大後的期待？

Does my kid already like things like this, or am I picking it because of their gender?

我的孩子本來就喜歡這些東西嗎？還是我買這些東西僅因為他們的性別？

Making choices that defy gender stereotypes can help your kid grow up feeling like their gender won't limit what they can do with their lives.

若你替孩子做的選擇能突破性別刻板印象的框架，你的孩子在成長過程中就不會認為自己的潛力可能受限於性別。

And that's a good thing if we want to live in a world where everyone has a shot at achieving their dreams.

這是好事，尤其當我們希望這個世界能讓所有想完成夢想的人都有機會實踐它。

The idea is to make sure that whether your daughter dreams of being a firefighter, a scientist, or a parent;

只要確定，不論你女兒的夢想是成為消防人員、科學家還是家長；

And whether your son dreams of being a teacher, a parent, or a professional athlete;

也不論你兒子夢想當老師、家長或專業運動員；

That they feel loved and supported in following what they're passionate about.

他們追求熱忱的過程中，是被關愛、被支持著的。

So give them choices, follow their interests, and let their imaginations lead the way.

所以讓他們自己選擇，遵循他們所愛，並讓他們的想像力帶領自己前進。

Want to learn more?

想了解更多嗎？

Check out plannedparenthood.org/parents.

到 plannedparenthood.org/parents 看看吧！