Miami: Gender stereotypes are firmly rooted in today’s youth by age 10, according to a global study on Wednesday that warns such beliefs can raise the risk of depression, suicide, violence and HIV.

The investigation, which spanned 15 countries, suggested that vast amounts of money are wasted on stereotype prevention programs for teenagers, because efforts must begin far earlier.

“Adolescent health risks are shaped by behaviours rooted in gender roles that can be well established in kids by the time they are ten or 11 years old,” Kristin Mmari, lead researcher for the qualitative research at the Global Early Adolescent Study, a partnership between the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins University.

Interviews were conducted in Bolivia, Belgium, Burkina Faso, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Scotland, South Africa, the United States and Vietnam.

Researchers found that gender stereotypes which emphasize female passivity can encourage abuse.

These stereotypes “leave girls at greater risk of dropping out of school or suffering physical and sexual violence, child marriage, early pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,” said the report.

Boys on the other hand are encouraged to spend time outside of the home, unsupervised, to explore the world.

While there is increasing acceptance for girls who want to dress or act like boys — particularly in Belgium, China, India and the United States — there is “almost zero tolerance for boys” who push back against typical gender roles, said the report.

“Boys who challenge gender norms by their dress or behaviour were by many respondents seen as socially inferior,” and were often bullied, teased and beaten, it said.

“We found children at a very early age — from the most conservative to the most liberal societies — quickly internalize this myth that girls are vulnerable and boys are strong and independent,” said Robert Blum, director of the Global Early Adolescent Study.