Want To Raise A Strong, Feminist Kid? Here's How.

The impact of sex-specific toy and clothing choice affect children’s learning and attitudes far beyond the playground. De-gendering toys will allow children, and hopefully society at large, to grow up to a better world: when we offer kids equal choices from an early age, it logically follows that they will continue to expect and demand equality in their personal, social and professional lives.

Make sure all children, regardless of gender, are taught basic household skills, such as cleaning and cooking. And as parents, make sure that there are no gender roles in the household. You can regularly swap household chores and share responsibilities. Make sure each child's contribution is equally valued. This will teach them that independence and competence are not only important, but are gender-free as well. "Because you're a girl/boy" isn't a reason for anything. Ever.

Language contains our prejudices, our beliefs, our assumptions.To teach your kids that, you will have to question your own language. People may mean well when they say that your daughter is a 'princess', but ‘princess’ is loaded with assumptions, of a girl’s delicacy, of the prince who will come to save her, etc. So decide for yourself the things you will not say to your kid. Because what you say to them and around them, even when you think they're not paying any attention, matters. It teaches them what they should value.

Discuss recent news or current social issues in the media with your child and ask them what they think about it, and in turn, share your perspective and provide an explanation for the basis of your views. Listen to your child's opinions, thoughts and viewpoints and provide them with factual information including statistics, cases and relevant examples to challenge any myths or misconceptions they may have learned outside the home.

Teach your children about consent and autonomy for them to have self respect, self trust, self worth and the ability to say "no" without fear. Give your kid the option to hug or kiss someone or not, and then respect their choices.

Always remind your children they are individuals who cannot and do not have to be boxed into one category. Let your daughter know she can be a graceful dancer as well as being loud and hilarious, caring and sensitive as well as being strong and opinionated and your son can love football, ballet and butterflies.

Don't slut shame or victim blame, and when you hear this being done by someone else (whether it is in the media or in conversation), use it as an opportunity to educate your child on what slut shaming and victim blaming is, and why it is damaging and harmful.

Create a family environment that suffers no imbalance of power between genders or ages - an environment free of fear where woman, men and children are all free to express ideas,thoughts, beliefs and emotions without verbal or physical abuse or shame.

Acknowledge what your child is feeling and allow boys to express their sensitivity, softness and vulnerability in the same way you would girls.

Teach your children empathy. Remember that you are a feminist or you are a jerk. Raise them to be jerks.

Talk to your kids about sex. Talk to them about porn, about consent, about orgasms, masturbation, personal boundaries and respect. Yes, those are all under "talk to them about sex".

Enlighten your children about the way society treats any acts (however small) of rebellion and non-conformity so that they are prepared. If your daughter chooses not to shave her legs, let her know that while it is her choice as it is her body, she is likely to encounter backlash from her peers as society pressures females to conform to certain prescribed standards of beauty.

Don't let your children shame other children for not conforming to gender stereotypes. We would all like to think we would never raise chauvinist bullies, but you also have to face reality and if your kid is giving others a hard time it is your job to turn that around.

Don't teach your daughter that other girls or women are her competition. This begins by not comparing your child to others. Same goes for boys of course.

Teach your child about difference. Make difference ordinary. Make difference normal. Teach them not to attach value to difference. And the reason for this is not to be fair or to be nice but merely to be human and practical. Because difference is the reality of our world. And by teaching your kids about difference, you are equipping them to live well in a diverse world.