But then why do these stereotypes remain stable across generations?
Rational expectations equalibria are a thing. To take a somewhat exagerated example, if everyone thinks that girls suck at math, so no one teaches girls to do math, then no one will ever find out whether or not girls actually suck at math.
“Throwing like a girl” is a prime example of that sort of thing. Throwing like a girl turns out to be throwing like someone who’s inexperienced with throwing.
If a boy throws like a girl, he’s taught and/or shamed out of it as quickly as possible. If a girl throws like a girl, well, what did you expect?
I’ve phrased this in the present tense, but the culture’s improved on the subject.
Strength is determined by biology and behavior; the stereotype reflects both biological reality and cultural expectations. Note that boys are/were expected to be stronger than girls even before puberty actually creates a meaningful biological gap...
Rational expectations equalibria are a thing. To take a somewhat exagerated example, if everyone thinks that girls suck at math, so no one teaches girls to do math, then no one will ever find out whether or not girls actually suck at math.
“Throwing like a girl” is a prime example of that sort of thing. Throwing like a girl turns out to be throwing like someone who’s inexperienced with throwing.
If a boy throws like a girl, he’s taught and/or shamed out of it as quickly as possible. If a girl throws like a girl, well, what did you expect?
I’ve phrased this in the present tense, but the culture’s improved on the subject.
Now consider a similar-sounding stereotype: “Men are physically stronger than women”. Think that’s fixable by different expectations?
While some stereotypes reflect cultural expectations, some reflect biological reality.
Strength is determined by biology and behavior; the stereotype reflects both biological reality and cultural expectations. Note that boys are/were expected to be stronger than girls even before puberty actually creates a meaningful biological gap...