Gender Identity

Gender identity is a complicated subject to talk about in our society. Too many people don't understand the concept or how it “works”. Gender identity is something that needs to be talked about because too many people are clueless about it. I learned about gender identity in psychology where we never talked about beyond a definition. I was able to apply it to all of things that I had learned about transgenders on tumblr. Everything clicked in my head and it made sense and to me, I think everyone needs to be aware of how it affects everyone in their day to day lives.

Gender identity is, simply put, what gender you relate to and identify with. Generally, males identify as masculine and females identify as feminine. However, sometimes makes identity as feminine and females identify as masculine. The majority of the population is seen as “normal” while those who identify as the opposite sex are often outcasted. As a girl who identifies as female, I am considered “normal”. But the term normal is relative. In other aspects I am considered “weird” so who is to say that people who identity as the opposite sex aren't normal? I don't think that they should be outcasted by society just because they are a little different. We're all different in our own ways and this is theirs. When I see someone who acts or dresses like the opposite sex we treat them like everyone else because that's how they deserve to be treated. They shouldn't be treated any different than you or me because in the end they're people too and all people deserve a chance.

I think a lot of things influence gender identity. A lot, I think, is biological, but it could also be influenced by parents and media. I don't think that that plays as a big a role as biology, though. I do think the men suffer more when they identify as female. Society has taught us that men are supposed to be strong, tough, and basically the opposite of everything feminine, so seeing a guy dressed as a girl automatically puts these thoughts in your head that tend to be negative. These kids suffer relentless bullying and psychological trauma. In fact, these students “are more likely than their heterosexual peers to suffer health risks, including substance abuse, depression, and suicide, due to some extent to the continuing violence and harassment they experience.” (Rienzo, Button, Jiunn-jye, & Ying, 2006). This includes all LGBT youth, boys and girls. For girls who identify as male it's a little different, however. If a girl dresses as a guy it's often seen as cool or as skater or tom boy. It's not as big of a deal, but they can suffer the aforementioned bullying and depression brought on by those who don't approve of girls dressing in a non girly manner.

In the end I really do think that everyone deserves to be treated equal regardless of what gender you identify with. Sadly, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

Rienzo, B. A., Button, J. W., Jiunn-jye, S., & Ying, L. (2006). The Politics of Sexual Orientation Issues in American Schools. Journal Of School Health, 76(3), 93-97. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2006.00075.x

Gender-less Environments: Yay or Nay??

Gender is a huge topic in today’s society. Everything is stereotyped one way or the other – boy or girl. There is no in between, no middle ground. You can't do both boy and girl things. This is the kind of thinking that must be challenged. But is raising your child in a gender less environment really the way to do it?

I think that there’s a certain approach to a gender less environment that has to be taken. Keeping the sex of the child a secret is not one of them. Sex is important. As much as people like to say it isn't, it is. It defines the way we grow and develop, not necessarily who we are. Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you have to do girl things, but you do have to develop the correct way for a girl. And if you don't know what that is, then your screwed.

I think the best way to raise a child in a “gender less” environment is to surround them with everything, boy and girl toys. Teach them both ways. Teach boys to be tough and protective, but also kind and emotional. Let them play with Barbies and doll houses and baby dolls as well as trucks and action figures and dirt. Teach girls to be dainty and beautiful, but also to be tough and rowdy. Let them play in the dirt and hit baseballs in the backyard. For me this is the best way because this is the way I was raised. I grew up playing with Barbie dolls and baby dolls and playing mommy and dressing up in tutus, but, I also played with my brother’s cars, action figures, and Legos. I went outside and picked up worms because I thought they were cool. I played kickball and smashed whiffle balls. I got down and dirty but I also wanted to be a dainty little princess. As far as I remember, female stereotypes were never pushed on me and I was never told that it wasn't okay to play with my brother’s toys. I turned out fine and I am a girly girl who wears dresses and aspires to look nice everyday.

I think that if you raise your child exposed to all sides – but still knowing their gender – they’re able to decide for themselves what they want. I wore jeans and tees in elementary school and despised dresses. That's what I wanted and no one ever told me it wasn't okay that I didn't want to wear a dress. Giving your child every option is the best way to raise a child. Let them choose what to play with; let them decide what to wear. Whatever happens, happens, but at least you'll know you gave them every choice available.

Privilege

Privilege is a very touchy topic to talk about. Everyone has their own idea of what privilege is and means. I define privilege as an advantage that you have but didn't ask for. As an upper middle class white girl, I find that I have a lot of privileges that others do not that I often take for granted. I never realized what these privileges were until I really sat down and thought about it. I am able to walk anywhere I want and not have people look at me as if I have just committed a crime. Too many people have to face that scrutiny. I never have to worry about not having enough money to buy things. I don't have to worry about my future because I know that others will not judge me based on my skin color. The everyday things that I do are privileges that others don't have.

Growing up, my friends were always of a different race than me. I had very few white friends and the majority of my friends were Hispanic. I saw first hand what challenges they faced that I never had to. One of my friends never had lunch money and often didn't get lunch because her parents couldn't afford it. That was something that I never had to worry about because my parents could speak English and had good jobs. Having lunch everyday was a privilege that I did not know I had. My friends were always treated as less because of their skin color. They were treated as if they weren't smart enough to get into college. I never had that problem. Even when these issues were right in front of my face, I did not realize that I had privileges that they didn't. I always saw them as equal to me because they're my friends and I support them every step of the way. Others didn't see it that way.

I think growing up seeing what it was like for my friends will only help me in the classroom. It's hard to be aware of your privileges while they're happening. You don't notice what you have until you look back and see what others didn't have. As a teacher, I think that I might be more biased towards the kids that have the advantages because they'll be the ones who are performing at the highest level. I can combat this by focusing more attention on the kids who aren't doing so well. The best way to tame the biases that I might have is to focus less on where the kid comes from or looks like, and focus more on what they need from me. If I can give them one thing that they didn't have before, fix one problem that can't be fixed at home, then I have done my job correctly.

That Pesky Little Topic No One Wants to Talk About

Race is a tough topic to face in our society. Many people claim that they don't see color. But we aren't a color blind society. We see color and we see differences. What matters is how we act on those differences.

It's very important to discuss issues that have racial dimensions. If we close ourselves off from each other because of something as unchangeable as race then there is no hope for the world. If we just ignore what is going in Ferguson and act like nothing is wrong just because it deals with race, then the problem will never be solved. This issue can't just be swept under the rug. They hold implications for not only this country but the rest of the world.

As an educator I believe that I can change the way people see things. I want to inform my students of relevant issues (without going too deep because they'll be like seven) and show them things from all angles. As an educator I believe you need to show students every piece of information you can so that they can make an informed decision; you can't just give them your view because then you are taking away their right to come to their own conclusion. Educators should lay out the facts of every issue regardless of race let a discussion happen.

Starting a conversation about race is hard. In our society we just sort of ignore it so bringing it up becomes a hard task. I would bring it up in a very roundabout way like talking about a current event that deals with race. Everyone gets involved in the conversation and then you can easily turn the tables to talk about race. You could also just bluntly attack the subject. Ask if anyone has ever been a victim of racism or bullied for their race. Ask if parents have a problem with interracial couples or friends. Keep the conversation going by keeping it relevant to the students. They'll always be interested if it's made about them.

Tackling the subject is always tricky. You never want to offend anyone but it's an important to talk about. More schools should be delving into the hard topics of race and giving their students the deepest understanding possible. As an educator I hope to achieve that.