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Raising genderless children vs. critical stages in child development

Raising genderless children vs. critical stages in child development. Michelle Casey. What does it mean to be genderless?. According to Mirriam -Webster: “not reflective of the experiences, prejudices, or orientations of one sex over the other”

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Raising genderless children vs. critical stages in child development

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  1. Raising genderless children vs. critical stages in child development Michelle Casey

  2. What does it mean to be genderless? • According to Mirriam-Webster: “not reflective of the experiences, prejudices, or orientations of one sex over the other” • Not being confined to gender stereotypes of any culture

  3. Advantages of Raising Genderless Children • They are free to choose any gender identity • They are not constricted to specific gender stereotypes • Their parents are supportive of whatever profession they may choose

  4. Criticisms of Raising Genderless Children • The practice is very unusual at this time • Baby Storm- boy or girl? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4olXHq5Xe78 • “children learn what is between their legs and what it’s called and the results of that by age two or three.” –Jo Paoletti, Univ. of Maryland • The implication is that children will be raised without any cultural input- impossible

  5. Many people are opposed to this idea • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBSgni6m1PI

  6. Based on this side of the argument, what do YOU think? • Is raising children completely genderless freeing them from social stereotypes? • Is it cruelty to be setting them up as “experiment children”? • Is it a little of both?

  7. Now we’ll take a look at how gender develops according to two psychological theories.

  8. Stages of Development- Freud • Oral stage: Birth-12 months -Erotic stimulation focused on the mouth -Oral fixation: excessive optimism, passivity, over-dependent, develop oral habits • Anal stage: 1-3 years -Toilet training -Anal retentive or anal expulsive • Phallic Stage: 3-5 years -Erotic focus on genitals -Fantasize about opposite-sex parent -Discover their gender • Latency Stage: 5-Puberty -Less sexually focused, period of relaxation • Genital Stage: Puberty-Adulthood -Focus on sexuality, gender identity, happiness of sexual partner

  9. Focus on the Phallic Stage • Oedipus Complex -Boys discover they have a penis -Notice girls do not have penises- believe they were castrated -Due to love of mother they hate father -Due to fear of castration strive to become like father • Electra Conflict -Girls discover they do not have a penis- develop penis envy -Believe their genitalia is inferior to males’- controversial -Believe they have been castrated- blame mother for the castration -Move trust over to father *Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is very biologically based.

  10. Kohlberg’s Theory of Child Gender Development • Three Stages: -Three to four years: a. Begin gender labeling b. Do not understand gender permanence c. Hard time grasping different body shapes but similar minds -Five years: a. Start to grasp gender permanence b. Still believe they can change gender physically -Six to seven years: a. Understand gender permanence b. Play with gender-specific toys c. Play with their own gender d. Start noticing male and females roles

  11. Now what do you think?

  12. Now let’s take a look at gender roles across cultures today.

  13. Sweden: Each working parent has sixteen months paid leave per child. Women and men are are seen as equally critical in a child’s life and in the workforce.

  14. Chile: 62% of Chileans feel that gender equality is wrong. Women should focus on the home and the family. Until recently, women were required by law to obey their husbands.

  15. Japan: both men and women are generally equally educated, but women have added pressure to find a husband.

  16. Afghanistan: Men are expected to work. They should rarely be at home during the day. Women are expected to tend to the home and any farmland/livestock they may have.

  17. As you can see, gender roles are prevalent in nearly every culture today. According to Freud and Kohlberg, children discover gender stereotypes within their first few years of life. Therefore, is raising a generation of “genderless” children worth doing?

  18. Works Cited • "Afghanistan." Countries and Their Cultures. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. <http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Afghanistan.html>. • Cloninger, Susan. Theories of Personality. Sixth ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson, 2013. N. pag. Print. • McGrath, Patrick. "What are the pros and cons of raising a gender-less child?." Ask Dr. Pat. N.p., 16 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Feb. 2014. <http://crfh.ca/askdrpat/index.php/2012/02/16/what-are-the-pros-and- cons-of-raising-a-gender-less-child/>.Calvin College openURL resolver • Oswalt, Angela. "Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood." Betty Hardwick Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 5 Feb. 2014. http://www.bhcmhmr.org/poc/view_doc. php?type=doc&id=12771&cn=462. • Sohn, Emily. "Raising a Genderless Child: Possible?." D News. N.p., 31 May 2011. Web. 5 Feb. 2014. http://news.discovery.com/human/genetics/gender- child-baby-society-boy-girl-110531.htm • "The Cross Cultural Perspective." Boundless. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. <https://www.boundless.com/sociology/gender-stratification-and-inequality/gender-and-socialization/the-cross-cultural-perspective/>.

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