NPR: The End Of Gender?

So the first thing that I thought to post was this picture I found on google that is the epitomy of the gender sterotypes in our society... the masculine male depicted as the strong, althetic, independent man....and the feminine woman depicted as the frazzled, dependent and helpless mother....

The other thing I have decided to post is this really amazing article I found in the NPR website:

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137342682/the-end-of-gender

The article is titles: The End of Gender? and asks readers the question: Could we be heading toward the end of gender? The article begins by defining gender according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary as being "the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex- in other words the cultural expectations that go along with saying that someone is a boy or a girl."

The text has some amazing quotes that stuck out to me that I listed below in an effort to summarize the article:

"Sex differences are real and some are probably present at birth, but then social factors magnify them,"

"Does gender matter? In a country with the ideal of treating everone fairly and equitably,do we really need t know if someone is a boy or a girl?"

"Tagging someone as female or male 'enforces binary gender norms and it pretends that gender is a more stable category of identity than it actually is.'"

"we designate and segregate gender in public 'starting with the idea that there are two-and-only-two genders--a constuction, and a myth in our society that excludes many.'"

"if parents did not buy into gender stereityping of children's toys and clothes, kids would stay open-minded longer during childhood."

Skirts Unfair Prejudice against Transsexuals

Una, Lady Troubridge (1924) by Romaine Brooks. Androgynous appearance, don't you think? 

According to the UK government’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, requiring skirts for girls for school uniform attire is illegal. They argue that such a policy is discrimination against female-to-male transsexuals.

A report was published which stated “requiring pupils to wear gender-specific clothes is potentially unlawful…pupils born female with gender dysphoria experienced great discomfort being forced to wear stereotypical girls’ clothes—for example, a skirt.”

The Commission then proceeded to imply that schools which refuse to discontinue “discriminatory” uniforms may face “costly legal action” when the guideline becomes active.

The guidelines in question also extend rights formerly reserved for individuals diagnosed with gender identity disorders to all whom claim the symptoms, “regardless of whether or not they intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment.”

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Dated, I know. But I thought it was an interesting read because of various reasons:

• Why are skirts being banned altogether? Can't we just let them decide whether or not they want to wear skirts? No need to resort to such drastic matters.
• On the other hand, what about boys who consider themselves females trapped in male bodies? Will skirts be provided for them?
• Doesn't extending rights previously reserved for those diagnosed with gender identity disorders to all who claim the signs encourage people who want attention to "cry wolf"?

-Jeremy Fu

Bells & Whistles

Watch Me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yWTsFVkrFc

For one of my film classes a year ago, I had to make a film using appropriated footage from the internet. This assignment got me interested in footage of old advertisements from the 50's-70's.

I find it remarkable how, from a random collection of old t.v. commercials, each one manages to incorporate themes of:

women needing to please their men,

women who cannot get out of tough situations without the help of a man,

women as alluring prizes (so if men buy the product, they get the prize (the woman)), etc.

These are great to watch not only for their entertainment value but also for the portrait of gender inequality they paint.