Why is countering

gender stereotypes
is so important?
Occupational gender
stereotypes put constraints on
childrens goals for the future.
These stereotypes dissuade
different genders from
pursuing particular careers.
The occupational gender
stereotypes present in todays
society limits the potential for
new ideas and perspectives in
various fields.
Many of these gender
stereotypes become a part of
childrens perspectives of the
world at a very young age.
Countering gender stereotypes
can change the way children
view the world. and their
goals for the future.

Parent
Resources
Blakes New Friends Website:
blakesnewfriends.wordpress.com
o Find character bios,
supplemental activities,
and additional web pages
to enhance the lessons
present in the book
Contact the Authors
o Vivian Tracy
vtracy@oxy.edu
o Rosie Silber-Marker
silbermarker@oxy.edu
o Carly Zurcher
zurcher@oxy.edu
o Carolyn Marsh
cmarsh@oxy.edu

Blakes
New
Friends
A childrens book
designed to counter
occupational gender
stereotypes at a
young age

An Interactive Book

Occupations
Featured in Blakes
New Friends
Stereotypically Male
Jobs
o Firefighter
o Doctor
o Construction
Worker
Stereotypically Female
Jobs
o Teacher
o Nurse
o Librarian

In addition to challenging gender

stereotypes through the characters
themselves, Blakes New Friends
is an interactive book. The book
comes with a set of six stickers
that each represents an item that
the characters use on a daily basis
at their job. Throughout the book,
children are asked to help the
characters find their missing items
by matching a sticker with the
appropriate occupation. This
feature of the book promotes an
enhanced vocabulary, maintains
the childs attention to the book,
and creates an environment where
the child is excited to learn about
gender stereotypes.

Talking to Children
about Occupational
Gender Stereotypes
Stay current on the gender
roles that are portrayed in
popular culture media.
Come up with real-life
examples to counter the
gender stereotypes present
in the media.
Ask children what they
want to be when they grow
up and then ask what they
would want to be if they
were the opposite gender.
o If the occupations are
different, talk to the
children about why
these may differ.
Reinforce that they can
obtain whatever job they
set their mind too!