As kids, we are often taught how different is a boy from a girl. How boys wear trousers and never a skirt or a dress. How physically challenging tasks are only for men while taking care of their skin and looks is a women’s thing.
We had textbooks that taught students that homosexuality is an ‘offence’. But over the years, and thankfully, this divide is being blurred and our textbooks have finally noticed the changing roles of girls and boys and become more inclusive.
While scrolling through social media, we found a picture of class three social science ICSEÂ book teaching kids how the traditional roles played by men and women in society are changing.
The book showed two pictures, one with a kid with colourful hair and the other with another kid playing football. It asked the kids if they agree with the fact that only boys can play football and only girls colour their hair.
Then it highlighted how both the pictures busted the myth that only men can play football and only girls colour their hair. The learning outcome was that gender is not a barrier for any occupation.
The post that was shared by Facebook user Mamta Sharma Das attracted a lot of eyeballs with people lauding the publishing house’s initiative of making the world more inclusive.
Our childhood is the foundation of what we become as adults. And trust me, it’s really difficult to unlearn all that you have learnt as kids. Hence, it’s always better to show kids a neutral point of view.
This is indeed a heartwarming and practical gesture. What do you think?