ABSTRACT

The traditional feminine stereotype has been a predominantly passive one, in

which girls are portrayed as quieter, neater, better behaved and more conforming

than boys. There are undoubtedly a lot of girls for whom this does not apply but,

nevertheless, there is a potential for these characteristics to develop, nurtured by

girls’ early experiences within the family. These are reinforced by the many images

of women presented in the media which emphasise the importance of women

making themselves attractive to please men, and they are present in women’s

traditional caring role within the family. Although gender stereotypes have been

chal lenged and eroded to some extent over the last two decades, there are still

significant differences in the ways boys and girls are treated within the family, at

school, work and in other areas of life.