In what context do children learn gender roles through observations in daily life?

Children learn gender roles primarily through observations in daily life, and this concept is encapsulated in the notion of gender scripts. Gender scripts refer to the cognitive frameworks that children develop based on societal expectations and norms regarding appropriate behaviors, attitudes, and activities for different genders. As children observe how people of their gender and the opposite gender behave in various contexts—such as at home, in school, and through media—they begin to internalize these observations and understand the roles and responsibilities associated with being male or female.

Through the process of socialization, children begin to recognize patterns in behavior and the social cues that dictate what is considered acceptable for their gender, forming a mental script that guides their own behavior. This script informs their understanding of gender roles across different settings and situations, shaping their future interactions and self-perceptions. Therefore, the concept of gender scripts is crucial in explaining how children learn and adopt gender roles by actively observing and interpreting their environments.