Comments on: Is gender neutrality possible?

By: Cynthia Schultz

Cynthia Schultz — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:09:53 +0000

It may be hard but if we are committed we can do it!
Here is the link:
http://togetherforjacksoncountykids.tumblr.com/post/14314184651/one-teachers-approach-to-preventing-gender-bullying-in

By: hchev

hchev — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:56:24 +0000

Thanks for the reply! I like the idea of not referring to students as ‘boys and girls’ buts in my experience its hard to get out of the habit, and to find another alternative that doesn’t feel awkward.

Can you try resending that article? The link you created isn’t working.

By: Cynthia Schultz

Cynthia Schultz — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:05:46 +0000

- power within: This power refers to self confidence, self awareness and assertiveness. It relates to how can individuals can recognise through analysing their experience how power operates in their lives, and gain the confidence to act to influence and change this. ?? – http://goo.gl/lebLx

By: Cynthia Schultz

Cynthia Schultz — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:45:24 +0000

I agree with Jessica – the term lesbian for example does not refer to gender or gender identity, it refers to a woman’s sexual orientation. Gender is a social and cultural construct and is different than one’s sex – the biological characteristics that makes a person a male or female. There is a clear distinction here and unfortunately many people in our society do not understand this.

I do not agree with everything said in the article you shared, but I do feel that there needs to be gender neutrality and that there should not be such clear definitions of this is a boys’s toy or that is the role a girl should play.
I believe that in classrooms, you should not refer to your students as boys and girls and that there are different word choices that can be used.

In terms of the gender neutral pronoun “hen”, I support this, as not everyone defines them self based on their sex and their gender identity may not match their sex. Sweden is making a change and they are moving toward inclusion and the next step beyond equality. Like any change, it will take time and to change a society is hard. But why not start at schools and in the classrooms as what happens there goes home and can impact a family. I feel that even though the Western stereotyped roles will continue and may one day change completely to gender neutral, it is not doing any harm to start introducing the concept of gender neutrality with using the pronoun “hen” or encouraging students and teachers to use inclusive terms when talking about others.

If you’re interested, this is a good article on “One teacher’s approach to preventing gender bullying in the classroom” – http://goo.gl/dQECJ – which shares stories and some suggestions that we as teachers can implement into our classrooms if we are truly passionate and supportive of all of our students, no matter how they identify.

By: hchev

hchev — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:57:12 +0000

Thanks for clarifying on the LGBT point and the gender/sexuality definition Jes : ) I’ve never thought about gender and sexuality to this extent before and its way more confusing than I thought.

By: hchev

hchev — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:54:38 +0000

Good point. : ) But what does gender empowerment look like? I just have never heard the issue spoke of in that way before, so as far as gender stereotypical roles… what does it mean to be gender empowered?

By: Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:33:37 +0000

I appreciate what you’re trying to say about LGBT issues, but I think that it is important to clarify that the prevailing argument that you mention is that LGBT persons are born with a particular sexuality, not with a certain gender, which are totally different concepts. A gay man can have a sexuality oriented toward other men, but identify with a traditionally female gender identity (or be sexually oriented to men but identify with a traditionally male gender identity, or something else altogether). Because gender is a socially constructed concept, nobody, including LGBT persons, can be born with it. Creating a gender neutral pronoun wouldn’t challenge the theory that LGBT persons are born the way they are, since sexuality is understood as a biological concept, but it would allow them greater freedom to express themselves as feminine, or masculine, or anything between or outside of those socially constructed concepts of gender.

Also, as a writer, I totally agree with the supporters of the gender neutral pronoun in terms of what it means for language: he/she is just plain ugly.

By: Angela Page

Angela Page — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:23:07 +0000

Rather than asking whether gender neutrality is possible, shouldn’t we be asking whether it is desirable? I wonder whether we would be better to acknowledge, celebrate and model gender empowerment with our learners, rather than trying to eliminate it and potentially oppress diversity.