Final answer:
Parents often treat sons and daughters differently by assigning them gender-specific activities and responsibilities, as seen in characters like Adoniram and Mr. Arnold. This treatment can result in varied responses from children, with sons and daughters typically aligning with these gender roles, although sometimes they show resistance or dissatisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences in Parental Treatment
Parents often exhibit different behaviors when interacting with their sons and daughters, which can lead to a divergence in how children respond to their upbringing. In the provided text, we observe a contrast between the father, Adoniram's, and Mr. Arnold's treatment of family members, reflecting broader societal expectations of gender roles.
While Adoniram partakes in the physical work of unloading wood and expects the blessing before a meal, Mr. Arnold suggests a trip and respects his son as an heir. These examples show that parents may assign and expect gender-specific activities and responsibilities.
Daughters like Nanny appear to be engaged in domestic duties like buying embroidery and changing dresses, suggesting an expectation to pursue traditionally feminine tasks. Unlike their brothers, they are not anticipated to be involved in more strenuous activities such as handling livestock. This difference in expectation can shape how sons and daughters perceive their roles and contribute to different patterns of behavior and aspirations.
Gender-appropriate activities and parental involvement can reinforce stereotypical gender roles, and the responses of sons and daughters typically align with these roles due to their upbringing. However, such treatment can sometimes lead to resistance or dissatisfaction, as seen in the girl's distress over the construction of another barn, questioning the necessity from her perspective.