As for the stereotypes about mothers, one of the hopeful aspects of cognitive bias is that it can be changed. Crosby says, “We just have this innate tendency to make stereotypes along gender lines, but the consequences of those stereotypes are controllable.” Crosby suggests that once people are made aware of the stereotypes, they can work actively against them. Additionally, we can examine our views of what constitutes valuable work skills. Crosby notes, “[The research] says something about our stereotypes about mothers and also something about our stereotypes about competence.” She comments that we need to challenge people to view caregiving as highly skilled work.

Williams suggests that today’s mothers and fathers are both victims of outdated gender stereotypes of parenting roles. Mothers pay the price by being left out of positions of power, and fathers pay the price in their relationships with their kids. “Moms don’t ordinarily decide to sequence in order that their children see their fathers less. This is not one of the typical motivations.” Instead, Williams claims that the workplace structure produces that breadwinner/housewife dynamic, and this structure should be the point of attack for those seeking greater gender equality. “It’s about changing the organization of work; it’s not much to do with attitudes,” she says. “The way work is currently organized ends up pushing women out.”