Christia S. Brown Ph.D.

About

Christia Spears Brown, Ph.D., is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Kentucky and author of Parenting Beyond Pink and Blue: Raising Kids Free of Gender Stereotypes. She is fascinated, and perplexed, by parents' obsession with looking for gender differences in their children. Her work on the impact of gender stereotypes on children and adolescents has been published widely in top scientific journals and featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, radio, and television.

Books by Christia S. Brown Ph.D.

Recent Posts

Transgender Athletes Face their Biggest Bully: Politicians

While Iowa and other states pass laws banning trans youth from school sports teams that match their gender identity, the youth suffer.

Early Biases Regarding Girls and STEM May Result in Lifelong Inequalities

Girls are the ideal students — both smart and obedient. But stereotypes that develop by the first grade that girls aren't brilliant scientists lead to lifelong inequalities.

Why the Women in the Weinstein Case Are So Believable

By middle school, girls are sexually harassed by boys, yet taught to smile and pretend it doesn't bother them rather than confront or report it. Just as in the Weinstein case.

Kids, Politics, and the Gender Divide

Children are interested in elections, and have strong opinions about candidates, but underestimate gender biases in politics and government.

Representation Matters

Regardless of gender identity, kids and teens want, and need, to be seen and affirmed. Representation and actual knowledge matters. This shouldn't be confined to one day a year.

Instead of a Tie, Get Dad Some Parental Leave Policies

Dads are important. You know it when you buy that Fathers' Day card. Unfortunately, U.S. parental leave policies do not reflect that.

Trans Teens Face Discrimination at School—and the DMV

This week, the ACLU filed a lawsuit in Alabama for driver’s licenses to reflect individuals' gender identity. Fighting this battle is only one of many for transgender youth.

The Majority of Girls Face Sexual Harassment with No Hashtag

Millions of women have now acknowledged that they have been sexually harassed. Yet recently, with no public outrage, major protections against harassment of girls were removed.

Why Title IX Matters, Regardless of Politics

Sexual harassment and assault are common, harm youth in schools, and should be explicitly prohibited by Title IX – regardless of your politics.

How to Talk to Kids About What it Means to be Transgender

With all of this media attention, kids who are not transgendered may have questions about what this issue is really about. This is a teachable moment.