Gender stereotypes are firmly rooted ###### today's youth by age 10, ###### to a global study released ###### week. Such stereotypes lay out ###### society's set ideas about the ###### boys and girls should behave, ###### and think about themselves. This ###### raise the risk of depression, ######, violence and HIV, the study ######.

The investigation spanned 15 countries. ###### results suggest that vast amounts ###### money are wasted on stereotype ###### programs for teenagers because efforts ###### begin far earlier.]]>
"Yet we ###### billions of dollars around the ###### invested in adolescent health programs ###### don't kick in until they ###### 15," Mmari said. "By then ###### probably too late to make ###### big difference."

Study Says Stereotypes Expose Girls To Danger

The study included ###### early adolescents matched with a ###### or guardian.

Interviews were conducted ###### the following countries: Bolivia, Belgium, ###### Faso, China, the Democratic Republic ###### Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Kenya, ######, Nigeria, Scotland, South Africa, the ###### States and Vietnam.

Researchers found ###### gender stereotypes that emphasize female ###### can encourage abuse.]]>
Such ###### expose girls to a host ###### dangers. They "leave girls at ###### risk of dropping out of ###### or suffering physical and sexual ######, child marriage, early pregnancy, HIV ###### other sexually transmitted infections," the ###### said.

Boys' Stereotypes Emphasize Strength

Boys, on the other ######, are encouraged to spend time ###### of the home, unsupervised, to ###### the world.

When it came ###### relationships, boys were consistently viewed ###### being the ones allowed to ###### the first step except in ###### city - Edinburgh, Scotland.

Meanwhile, ###### across the world are taught ###### their bodies are their key ######.]]>
Boys, ######, suffer from stereotypes that emphasize ###### strength and independence. Such stereotypes ###### make them more prone to ###### use and more likely to ###### commit or fall victim to ###### of violence.

Challenging Gender Norms

The researchers did ###### increasing acceptance for girls who ###### to dress or act like ###### - particularly in Belgium, China, ###### and the United States. However, ###### harder for boys to challenge ###### roles.]]>
"###### who challenge gender norms by ###### dress or behavior were by ###### respondents seen as socially inferior," ###### report said. They were often ######, teased and beaten.

The study ###### that from a very early ###### children internalize certain myths about ###### and boys. Children early on ###### girls are weak and helpless, ###### boys are "strong and independent," ###### Robert Blum said. This was ###### in all countries studied, from ###### most conservative to the most ######. "And this message is being ###### reinforced at almost every turn," ###### said. Gender stereotypes are perpetuated ###### every sphere of life, by ###### from family members to classmates, ######, clergy and coaches.]]>