Just as there are things all fathers should be sure to say to their kids, there are things that fathers should be certain that their kids overhear them say. With sons, the main subject of these indirect lessons is often about being able to ask for help and show empathy. For girls, those apply, but your daughter is going to have to navigate a world that’s not usually built for her. She’ll be marginalized and judged on her looks. She’ll be expected to apologize a lot. So there need to be more specific lessons.

Part of a dad’s job, then, is to talk. Even if your daughter isn’t in the room, you should extol women athletes, praise assertiveness, make the right kind of comments about appearances, and apologize for interrupting. No, you alone will not reduce the playing field. But through direct and indirect lessons, you can help build a foundation of what she can — and should — expect.