New perception of childhood as a result of changing gender roles

Gender roles are a result and reflection of social change. Owing to gender equality, women are rising to prominence in the area of work, which is one of the significant factors influencing the formation of gender roles. We can observe men slowly entering the private sphere where they are involved in activities limited to taking care of their children. Nevertheless, the asymmetry between the genders persists in both public and private life; the situation has not changed dramatically. However, the emancipation has enabled women to achieve an important position in the society and they are obviously reluctant to lose it. Their awareness of the issue is outrunning the current situation in the society. Striving for success in the labour market, women are now less active at home than they were in the past. Reproduction is no longer a priority in women’s life; instead, they plan their family carefully. As a result of active participation of women in the public area of work, indirect change in family life gave rise to new types of parenthood (new motherhood, new parenthood) and a different attitude towards childhood (protective childhood). Moreover, the resulting new requirements of parenthood are increasingly demanding and exert influence on educational institutions, especially kindergartens. Parents tend to demand more from kindergarten teachers, while children are also changing. The consequences are visible in educational styles, the expectations of parents and their powerlessness