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In the past century, significant progress has been made in advancing gender equity in the United States. Women gained the , fathers have become , and more  and  recognize gender identities beyond the binary categories of male and female.

However, persistent gaps remain. Women hold  of U.S. congressional seats, only  mandate paid paternity leave, and state legislatures are  that discriminate against transgender people.

Most Americans believe there is  on gender equality. As a genderqueer sociologist, a parent of a kindergartner, and the author of a book on , I study the importance of disrupting sexism in childhood. Here are five ways I鈥檝e found that parents and caregivers can fight gender stereotypes in kids鈥� lives.

1. Acknowledge That a Child May Be LGBTQI+

Gender identity and sexuality are  experiences. However, medical institutions and parents commonly  to newborns based on physical characteristics and  as one of two binary genders. For example, children with vulvas are assigned female and raised as girls and children with penises are assigned male and raised as boys.

Most children are cisgender鈥攎eaning their gender identity aligns with the sex and gender they were assigned at birth. However, the percentage of young people in the U.S. who identify as transgender鈥攎eaning their gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, or who are 鈥攎eaning their gender is neither strictly male or female鈥�. And an estimated  babies born in the U.S. are intersex, meaning their sex chromosomes or reproductive anatomy may be different from what is typically categorized as male or female.

And nationwide,  of high school students say they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning their sexuality. Young LGBTQ people are  than older generations did.  that family acceptance of young LGBTQ people is associated with greater mental and physical health and protection against depression, substance abuse, and suicide.

2. Be Aware of Gendered Marketing

Children鈥檚 toys and clothes are , and many people blame the  of .

For example,  are marketed to boys, and  to girls. In children鈥檚 clothing stores, primary colors, transportation, and sport graphics are often on one side, and pastels, flowers, and sparkles on the other.

Children learn important social, emotional, and physical life skills through play. Playing with a  provides opportunities to develop and build upon well-rounded skills, including  and . Gender-stereotyped marketing can limit the kinds of toys and experiences children are exposed to.

Parents and caregivers can shop all the aisles of a toy or clothing store to show children that gendered marketing boundaries are arbitrary and can be crossed. They can let kids explore what is available and choose for themselves.

鈥攅xplicitly reversing a stereotype鈥攊s also a powerful way to disrupt gender stereotypes in play. For example, a caregiver can look at dolls with a boy and say things like, 鈥淏oys like dolls鈥� and 鈥淒addies are really good at caring for babies.鈥�

3. Disrupt Gender Stereotypes at Home

Parents and caregivers are children鈥檚 first models for how gender is performed. Adults can model language and behavior that challenge binary and harmful sexist stereotypes, such as the belief that women should 鈥攅ven when they have full-time employment. For example, in households with more than one parent, and especially in different-gender couples, parents can  and household tasks.

Actions speak louder than words, and children are  to reject the idea of traditional gender norms when their parents exhibit fairness and divide domestic labor equitably, not just mention it as something they value.

Parents can switch up children鈥檚 chores so they learn about housekeeping in a nongendered way. Boys can do dishes, and girls can take out the garbage. Parents can also ensure allowance is equitable, as the gender pay gap can start at home. Research suggests  even when they do more chores.

4. Use Gender-Neutral Language

Using gender-neutral pronouns and other words can reduce gender bias and . For example, using anatomical language instead of gendered words, like 鈥渧ulva鈥� instead of 鈥済irl parts,鈥� teaches children that not all people who have vulvas identify as girls. This doesn鈥檛 erase cisgender girls, but is inclusive of many transgender boys and nonbinary kids. Similarly, replacing 鈥渕oms and dads鈥� with 鈥減arents and caregivers鈥� is not only inclusive of  and nonbinary parents but also acknowledges single parents and the  guardians.

In children鈥檚 books, where boy characters  and other genders, caregivers can change he/him pronouns to she/her and they/them. Adults can also choose books and media that represent kids in  ways, and call out stereotypes when they come up in stories.

5. Encourage Mixed-Gender Play

Gender segregation is deeply embedded in social structures and can have negative implications, such as  toward people of other genders. Children are often categorized in gendered groups, sometimes casually (鈥渂oys line up here, girls line up there鈥�) and other times explicitly, like in .

 that children who have close friendships with children of other genders hold more positive and less sexist attitudes toward their friend鈥檚 gender.

Parents and educators can create opportunities for kids to interact with children of different genders. They can stop segregating children by gender, choose sports teams and other organized extracurricular activities that are open to all genders, and host mixed-gender birthday parties, for example. All-gender activities help children recognize their  and are inclusive of children who don鈥檛 identify as a girl or boy.

This story was originally published by and is reprinted here with permission.