Part 4/12:
Alan recounts how as early as kindergarten, boys are conditioned to internalize notions of inferiority. Phrases like "puppy dog tails" and stereotypes of boys as "gross" or less valued root in societal grooming from a young age. This early programming, he asserts, is reinforced by family, educators, media, and societal expectations.
He recalls specific examples from the late 1950s and 1960s—such as gift wrapping shops refusing to wrap presents for men and exclusion from certain activities—highlighting the pervasive nature of gendered biases. These early experiences form the foundation for understanding how ingrained these paradigms are, often starting around age four, as psychologists suggest.