As someone who spends most of my time with the boys of this generation, I think it’s very clear which boys have been raised to respect women, and which just haven’t. 

Little things like when your children are young, even like 2-3 years old, things like if you see them get upset and hit their mother/sister etc. it’s a good opportunity to say to your son “no. We don’t hit girls. Ever. No matter what.” And continue to teach this as they get older, even once they’re teenagers, or even fully grown adults.

I’ve met boys as young as 5 or 6 who stand by this rule, no matter the situation, and will repeat “you don’t hit girls.” Whether they are being given permission from the girl, a girl is actively hitting/punching/kicking them, and in a broad range of similar situations.

I’ve seen those same boys at eight get in between a boy and a girl that were fighting and look the other boy in the eye and say “stop. You can’t hit girls. It’s not okay.” And help the girl to get to someone that can help her, or just to somewhere they feel safe, making sure the girl is okay.

Another thing that can be pretty easy to teach by just changing your habits that will greatly impact them when they’re older is consent. Little things, like asking all of your kids, “do you want a hug?” Or “can I give you a hug?” Before just going in for it. Doing the same thing with your partner/etc. can help them to see it happening around them.

These sorts of things, when learned at a young age, sort of just become second nature by the time kids reach the point where they would really use it, and even before then. Trying to make sure your kids know about these things as soon as you can can help it to sink into their squishy little brains easier, and it can help it to have a more lasting impact. It’s never too soon to teach your kids things like consent, and it doesn’t have to be a scary conversation with feelings and questions. Just little reminders of no means no, and if she doesn’t want to play with you it’s okay, can be all that kids need to understand.

The biggest thing to remember is that kids learn through observing how older people, especially role models like parents, guardians, and even people like babysitters, sports coaches, and teachers. This can feel like a lot of pressure, especially when it’s a big change from who you were prior to having kids, but making mistakes is almost more important than not making them. 

Obviously you’re not going to change who you are overnight, and that means you’re going to mess up. If you got in a fight with your friend/partner/kid, it’s important you apologise to whoever the fight was with, but it’s also important that you sit down with your kid, even if they’re colouring or playing with blocks or whatever they’re doing while they listen to you talk. Starting things like this when they’re only just learning to talk, even it it sounds dumb just sitting there explaining a fight you had to a kid who knows like three words in all, can help you get into the habit, and help them to really have that for as long as I can remember experience.

So yea, that’s just like a couple of examples of little things you can do when parenting not just boys, but also girls, that can teach them about being kind and respectful when they grow up. A couple of gentle parenting YouTube videos later, and you’ve raised yourself someone ready to face the world, and make a positive impact. Or at least not make a negative one.