Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Encouraging Boys and Girls to Explore Unconventional Careers.

Picture a 12-year-old girl in Lagos, her eyes bright with curiosity as she tinkers with wires and circuits in her school’s robotics club. Her friends tease her, saying robots are for boys, but she dreams of building machines that could change the world. Across town, a 15-year-old boy quietly sketches designs for vibrant dresses in his notebook, ignoring whispers that fashion is “girls’ stuff.” These children are daring to dream beyond the boxes society has drawn for them, and their stories remind us of a truth we too often forget: careers have no gender.

Gender stereotypes in careers are deeply rooted ideas about what jobs are “suitable” for boys or girls. From an early age, children are bombarded with messages that certain professions are off-limits based on gender- nurses are women, engineers are men . These stereotypes aren’t just words, they shape how children see themselves and their futures. When a girl is told she’s “too soft” for engineering or a boy is mocked for wanting to teach kindergarten, their potential is unfairly limited. This matters because early career decisions, often made between ages 9 and 17, set the trajectory for a child’s life. If we want a world where every child can thrive, we must challenge these norms and encourage boys and girls to pursue any career that sparks their passion.

So, what exactly are gender stereotypes? They are the assumptions we make about people based on their gender, like expecting women to be nurturing and men to be technical. In careers, these show up as unwritten rules: women dominate fields like nursing or teaching, while men fill roles in engineering or construction. These patterns aren’t accidental. Children internalize them through parents who say, “Boys don’t cry, be strong,” or media that shows only men as pilots. Schools reinforce this when career days highlight male doctors and female secretaries. Society, too, plays its part, celebrating boys for being “tough” and girls for being “gentle.” The result? A world where children limit their dreams to fit outdated molds.

The consequences are far-reaching. When girls shy away from tech or boys avoid caregiving roles, we lose talent and diversity. Entire industries suffer from underrepresentation, think of the innovation lost when half the population is discouraged from STEM fields. Worse, these stereotypes perpetuate inequality, locking genders into roles that  fail to reflect their abilities or desires. A girl who could have been a brilliant aviator might never touch a cockpit, while a boy with a gift for teaching might never step into a classroom.

 When children break these barriers,  they show us what’s possible when we let go of stereotypes. Encouraging unconventional career choices isn’t just about personal fulfillment, it’s about transforming society. For the child, it builds confidence and a sense of individuality. When a girl codes her first program or a boy designs a dress, they learn to trust their abilities and embrace what makes them unique. For society, diverse career paths drive innovation. A tech industry with more women or a healthcare system with more male nurses isn’t just fairer, it’s stronger, richer in perspectives. Most importantly, breaking these barriers challenges deeper inequalities. When children see that careers have no gender, they begin to question other outdated norms, paving the way for a more equitable world.

So, how do we help children break free of  these limits? Parents and guardians play a crucial role. Instead of assigning “boy jobs” like fixing things or “girl jobs” like cooking, let children explore their interests freely. If a girl wants to build a rocket or a boy wants to sew, celebrate their curiosity, not their lack of conformity. Share stories of women like Funke Opeke, who founded MainOne and revolutionized internet connectivity in West Africa, or men like Nigerian chef Tunde Wey, who’s making waves in the culinary world. These role models show children that success doesn’t depend on gender.

Teachers and schools can also make a difference. Career days should feature diverse professionals like female coders, male midwives, or anyone defying the norm. Textbooks and teaching materials should reflect this diversity, showing girls wielding wrenches and boys caring for patients. Platforms like JuCE Africa are uniquely positioned to lead this change. By organizing workshops with role models from unconventional fields, hosting storytelling sessions, or offering hands-on activities like coding bootcamps or fashion design classes, NGOs can spark inspiration. A career day where a female engineer demonstrates drone-building or a male nurse shares his journey can change how children see their futures.

For the children themselves, the message is simple: unlearn the limits. Be curious, be brave, and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. If you’re a girl who loves cars, explore automotive engineering. If you’re a boy who loves storytelling, consider journalism or creative writing. Your dreams are valid, no matter what anyone says.

Globally, we see examples like Malala Yousafzai, who defied expectations to advocate for education, or Gordon Ramsay, a man who turned cooking into a global empire. These stories, whether local or international, show children that their dreams are within reach.

As we move forward, we must reaffirm a simple truth that careers have no gender. A child’s potential shouldn’t be confined by outdated stereotypes but fueled by their passions and talents. Imagine a world where girls build skyscrapers and boys nurture the next generation without a second thought. That world starts with us parents, teachers, organizations like JuCE Africa, and the children themselves. So, today, take a moment to encourage a child. Ask them what they love, what they dream of, and tell them they can be anything. Help them break the mold, chase their passions, and build a future where no career is off-limits. The next great inventor, caregiver, or artist is out there, waiting for the chance to shine. Let’s give them that chance.