It's time we rejected outmoded gender stereotypes

My son is 2 years old. He is well-behaved and rarely cries. However, his grandparents, who often take care of him when I am at work, used to stop him from crying when he lost his temper.

Usually, he got angry if a request was refused, sometimes for snacks and sometimes because his particular and unfathomable demands (for example, he only allows me to remove his dirty diapers) had not been considered.

The common response from his grandparents was: "You are a boy. Stop crying! Otherwise, we will leave you on your own."

It was the same response many Chinese kids get from their caregivers.

"Men should not shed tears easily" is a popular Chinese saying, passed down from generation to generation.

It's a classic gender stereotype for men and has influenced people for a long time.

Crying was believed to be a right only enjoyed by girls. A boy or man who cried was considered weak, unconfident and incapable of dealing with difficulties.

But changes have happened quietly, with a growing number of people becoming aware of the negative impact of such gender stereotypes, not only on men but also on women.

A recent proposal by the Ministry of Education to boost "masculinity" among boys by raising the number of gym classes triggered widespread discussion, with many people expressing a willingness to reject gender stereotypes and allow people to be who they want to be.

Last year, several female Chinese celebrities came under the spotlight for breaking gender norms.

Liu Yuxin, a singer, rapper and dancer, took China's variety show world by storm, landing herself the central role in a girl group called The9.

Her androgynous style, including short spiky hair, and her clothing, which frequently consisted of blazers and sportswear, made her ascent to the coveted role significant.

Meanwhile, Yang Liping, an internationally renowned dancer who has no children, pushed back against ageism and sexism when a netizen left a comment on her social media account saying, "The biggest failure one can have as a female is childlessness."

Yang gained abundant likes from supporters by replying: "It is inevitable that every human being will go on a journey and grow old. But as long as your spirit is young and filled with positive vibes, you will have a special aura around you. As long as you think you are having a good life and are not harming others, all is good."

Liu and Yang are among the leading forces bringing positive change to society. Now, the rest of us should make an effort.

I have already taken some steps, and several months ago, I spoke with my parents and parents-in-law.

Using data from academic papers and reports from well-known authorities, I explained the importance of removing gender stereotypes.

Although it was the first time they realized they had educated their children through gender stereotypes, they decided to take action to make a better future for their grandson.

Now, the whole family encourages my son to cry or laugh whenever he feels like it. I have also told him that he can tell me about his feelings, no matter good or bad, anytime and anywhere.

"I will never judge you and will always stand by your side," I told him. Then, I reminded myself to keep my word for my entire life.