Whatshot
Through my eyes
Through my eyes
Date: 2017-11-16
Gender is the state of being male or female, from the Latin 'genus'
I'm so baffled by the gender issues that are popping up in the media of late. I do not get it, as my world was so much smaller when I was growing up and no one even bothered with the issue. From day one when I popped out of my mom's belly and the doctor said, "It's a girl", that's what I have been for almost fifty years and at no point did I question or doubt that this was indeed my true gender.
I was in complete shock for days when I heard on the news that parents today were choosing to bring their children up 'gender neutral' or 'gender fluid', meaning that their children were being raised neither as a boy or a girl and were given unisex names and were not given the traditional pink or blue option for their colour pallet.
I find this so sad! My biology lessons taught me that humankind is made up of two genders, although there are a very few number of genetic 'mistakes' that we, as humans, accept. Without these two genders our species cannot reproduce naturally. It's what we are, and we celebrate these differences. On the birth of a new baby we ask if it's a "boy or girl " Not so that we can criticize, but so that we can celebrate. Why do we need to stop celebrating and start deriding, after that moment What is human about that
Not everybody wants to live in a gender fluid society, some of us like our traditional way of life and want our children brought up by those standards. Those people bringing up their children as gender neutral or gender fluid do not know the effect, the now fashionable gender galaxy pathway will have on their children in the future.
Most of us never question or think much about our gender, but it's an essential part of our identity. And given the endlessly diverse ways people experience their gender, their bodies, and their masculinity or femininity, it's a wonder there are so few words to describe it. Except there are actually (at least) dozens of gender terms, which I won't even bother to name, you can Google them if you want to but why would you it is utter nonsense.
Its true, all gender expectations are created by people. There are obvious biological differences between male and female but there are also people who fall in between biologically. The world isn't and has never been 'black and white' or 'all or nothing.' There have always been grey areas and it is a pity that so many people aren't capable of allowing themselves to rise above the limitations they were taught.
Yes, gender stereotyping causes significant problems in society and is much more harmful than many people seem to realise. For instance, boys are encouraged to be more aggressive, uninhibited, selfish and violent, and then we wonder why they commit significantly more crime and disorder. I just feel so confused about the whole gender issue and a bit scared really of being gender insensitive and politically incorrect.
Oh well, it's a sign of the time and maybe it will grow on me the less I think about it. Have a splendid week everyone regardless of your gender and all that stereotyping.