Children are pushed down specific paths by attitudes and expectations about how girls and boys achieve academically — and behave socially. It's past time to make all roadways open to all people, regardless of gender. Most children experience some form of "gender tracking" from preschool to high school, which involves preconceptions and expectations that can set them on a lifelong path. Early tracking can help explain why so many professions remain heavily gendered, with women disproportionately employed in lower-paying industries.

Despite progress toward gender equality, deep-seated prejudices about men and women persist, with serious repercussions. Stubborn beliefs cultivated from a young age, such as "girls are bad at math," "girls are better at cooking," or "boys don't cry," pave the way for sobering statistics about the number of female leaders in business and politics, as well as disturbing truths about the frequency of sexual harassment. By talking about gender biases early, parents can pave the way for equity long before girls and boys are engaged in romantic relationships, choosing college majors, or entering the workforce. Though it can be difficult to overcome many of the unconscious biases that form our expectations, understanding how gender roles are shaped is a critical first step toward a more fair future.