This shit starts at early childhood.

As someone who had been pursuing her degree in early childhood development, I can tell you through both research/documentation and personal observation that gender expectations start before they even get out of the womb!

Girls are automatically cute, and if they are not their outfits/appearances are complimented. Boys are complimented on their cognitive accomplishments and their size even when they're not in control of either. Girls=appearance and boys=accomplishments.

And that's lame. But it's EASY. It's easy conversation.

So, when you are introduced to a girl, choose a compliment that is not related to appearance. Ask her a question, like what's a book she's read lately and how she feels about it. Ask a boy the same thing! If it's a baby, ask them how the parents are faring. Ask them about THEIR experiences.

Focus on the person, not their gender. There's nothing "socially progressive" about that. It's just considerate, that's all.