Gender Identity

     Our society and what we accept is very different than what was accepted just a few years ago. Another aspect playing a large role in how I see things is from living in the south. The south is largely considered conservative and as a result those who go against the normal are seen as different and many times are not accepted by society. For me, I was born as a female and have identified as a female ever since. As a result, I have been on the privileged or powered side of the gender dichotomy. While I have been on one side of this dichotomy, I do not have a problem or look differently on those who do not identify with the gender they were born as. I think that you should have the ability or opportunity to choose and live in a way that you want to and the way that they feel the most comfortable. I do not believe that I would ever identify with the opposite gender, but I support those who do as that is their choice and it is how they feel and see themselves.

     I have never had someone in a position of influence over or around me that I look up to that has been born as one gender but identified as another. Growing up, this was never something that was discussed in my family or something that was a topic of discussion. As a result, I think that I could be very closed off to those who are different than me, but I have chosen to be different than those in my family. I also know that the introductory education classes have also opened my eyes to many different things, including gender identity. I know that it is important to be open to all of these different things, as I will have many different students who will be dealing with many of these and I will be able to help them and grow them into the best person they can be.

     Both girls and boys can identify as the opposite sex. Though, I think it is harder for guys to identify as a girl, than for girls to identify as a boy. I think it is easier for girls to identify as a boy, because even from a young age, many girls are seen as tomboys or more boyish than other girls. For many boys, if they identify as a girl, they are seen as not enough or not a man. I will have boy and girl students that will struggle with gender identity and I look forward to helping to grow them into the best person they can be.

Raising A Gender Neutral Child

     Before reading this blog post topic or these articles, I hadn’t really given much thought to raising a gender-neutral child. Actually, there are a lot of things that I had not thought about until this class and I am thankful that this class has brought many things to my attention that will greatly impact me as a teacher in the near future.

     After reading these articles, I can see why these parents have chosen to raise their children in a neutral-gender environment. Gender differentiation between male and female has become very distinct in the past years, which is not the best for our children. Roberts writes, “Gender affects what children wear and what they can play with and that shapes the kind of person they become” (Lucky boy raised without gender stereotypes). I understand that there are differences between boys and girls and as a result they will be raised differently, but I do not think people should try and shape children to be a certain way. An example that comes immediately to mind is toys. It is okay for children to play with all types of toys. Playing with a Barbie is not going to make a boy like boys or become gay. For example, my brother has three sisters and as a result has played with many girls’ toys and grew up playing house. However, he is definitely as boy at heart. Davis and James write, "Identity formation is really critical for every human being and part of that is gender" (Canadian Mother Raising 'Genderless' Baby, Storm, Defends Her Family's Decision). I think that we need to be careful in how we tell children that they can or cannot do certain things while growing up, but in terms of raising a gender-neutral child, I do not think it is best or the right thing to do in society today.

     Like I said, I do understand why these parents would want to raise their children in a neutral environment, I, personally, do not think it is the best thing to do in today’s society. Good or bad, these stereotypes are ingrained in society and these children will not be raised to handle these stereotypes when they get into school. This may lead to bullying and other issues in school, because most other children are not raised this way. While I do not think bullying and teasing about this is right, I can see how it would be detrimental for a child to experience and would want to prevent this from happening. With all of this said, I think it is completely up to the parents in how they will raise their children and they can do what they choose, but you cannot shelter or prevent your child from experiencing today’s society. And, for today’s society to accept gender-neutral children, it will take years of change, even though I do think that it could one day happen if all of society understood why.  

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/22/yvonne-roberts-gender-neutral-children

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/genderless-baby-controversy-mom-defends-choice-reveal-sex/story?id=13718047#.TzrzM5jg-zA