GUMPTION SQUAD VS THE DREAM GAP

Research shows that starting at age five, many girls begin to develop self-limiting beliefs and think they’re not as smart and capable as boys. They stop believing their gender can be anything. 

Mattel – The Dream Gap Project – 2018

How are we addressing the dream gap? 

At Gumption Squad we aim to show kids that women have always played a vital role in shaping the world. We aim to empower children with role models at a pivotal stage in their development.

We make space at the table for some pretty epic and pretty normal women to sit alongside male role models. Kids are statistically more likely to encounter male protagonists/ characters in the media. We believe that all kids benefit from learning about the rich tapestry of history and celebrating all sorts of contributors.

By the age of 6, girls become less likely than boys to associate brilliance with their own gender and are more likely to avoid activities said to require brilliance. (New York University, the University of Illinois, and Princeton University).

At Gumption Squad we believe that every kid has the potential to be brilliant and education is the bedrock of our society’s future. We believe that by diversifying the role models available, kids grow to be more empathetic, inclusive and empowered adults.

Why have we chosen these stories?

There is such a wealth of stories that we have encountered in our research. In selecting the first cohort of 12, we have attempted to piece together a broad mixture of time periods, backgrounds, experiences, cultures and spaces. Each year we plan to build out the array of cultures represented. We are always looking for women’s stories – please flag anyone you would like us to include in future additions!