Gender Identities

Blog 3: Examining Gender & Social Context 

Especially Noteworthy

After reading the article, "Should the World of toys be gender free?” I commend the toy company, Hamley’s, for its attempt to make their store "gender-neutral". "Rather than floors dedicated to Barbie dolls and action figures, merchandise is now organized by types (Soft Toys) and interests (Outdoor)."-New York Times.  By ridding their store of the typical segregation between girl "pink" and boy "blue" allows each kid to freely choose from a selection of toys. This store is a true example of how society can make steps to influence our children to be who they want to be. By removing, the "label" there are no right or wrong toys for the male or female child. I believe this change also promotes diversity, by influencing children to play with those who share the same interest, not the just the same sex. 

 

Troubled-By

"The concealed-centered method of care forces intersex into silence. Since it’s viewed as a “problem” that needs to be “dealt with” before the child can even walk or talk, there is little room left for engagement."-Intersex 101 

Society truly has a harsh way of isolating the "different" genders outside of the norm. It is sad that, even when the gender is not by choice, such as intersex, it is still frowned upon. Society truly places a hardship on those facing these conditions before they can understand it. Instead of isolating these people, three should be support and understanding for their obstacles.

 

Especially Resonant. 

In the article, truck-loving girls and ballet-dancing boys, the mother of the little boy raised him “gender-neutrally”. She dressed the baby boy in many colors, instead of all blue, as if most parents would. When he grew a little older, she noticed his interest in glitter things and sometimes even “girly” clothes. He faced a physical challenge that limited him from playground activities, so he took heave to activities such as ballot.  Often, her little boy was mistaken for a girl. However, instead of her following society’s right way to be a boy, she supported his interest. 

I could relate to this article, because my parents were the same way. As a child, I considered myself a tomboy. I hated dresses and the color pink. I would rather make mud castles over easy bake muffins, or ride dirt bikes instead of play dress up. Although I was not engaging in “girly” activities, my parents supported all of my interests in this stage of life. Do not get me wrong, my mother tried her best to gear me to be a ballerina, but she noticed how much happier I was in the karate classes. 

Final Thoughts. 

"Feminism has acknowledged how gendered expectations hurt all of us and keeps up divided in two very unnatural, arbitrary and even harmful boxes of “man” and “woman.”

 

This quote summarizes my final thoughts about Sex, Gender and Bodies and Gendered Identities. Society has ruined people’s freedom to feel comfortable as who they truly are. If you are not categorized as a "normal boy" or "normal girl", you are isolated as if you come from a different planet. We are all living, breathing, bleeding people. This world is so cruel. Whether by choice or by genetics, society has a harsh way of isolating those that do not fall in to the "boy or girl" role. It is truly sad that even when a person's conditions are uncontrollable, such as intersex, they are frowned upon. 

I believe there are far too many influences that tell our children, who and how they should be as a girl or boy. People should not be frowned upon or told to “deal” with the harsh realities of life silently for not because they do not fit into the girl/boy. A flaw is not just a flaw, but considered a "problem".  When I think of a problem, I think of an issue that causes some harm. Well, I have a question, what harm are these people truly doing to Society? In reality, society is the true problem. 

For More Information 

New York Times | http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/opinion/does-stripping-gender-from-toys-really-make-sense.html?scp=2&sq=peggy%20orenstein&st=cse

Intersex 101|http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/05/intersex-101/

Truck Loving Girls | http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-buttenwieser/gender-roles-kids_b_820875.html