BRC Should Children Be Raised Genderless the Gender Roles in Society Discussion

December 17, 2022

BRC Should Children Be Raised Genderless the Gender Roles in Society Discussion
Description
Students,
Please see below for your assignment based on Chapter 11. You are to respond to one of the questions from the list based on the information presented below.
Should Children Be Raised Genderless?
OVERVIEW
If gender is a social construction, as we have argued in this text, should boys and girls be raised differently? Do gender expectations limit the free development of children and force them to conform to roles that may be contrary to their needs, talents, and potentials? Arent gender roles a form of oppression, as illustrated by the Narrative Portrait of Leslie Feinberg in Chapter 11?
These are not merely rhetorical questions. In 2011, a Canadian couple Kathy Witterick and David Stocker told their family and friends that they would not reveal the sex of Storm, their newborn baby. They wanted to raise their child gender neutral and avoid the classifications and expectations characteristically attached to little girls and boys.
They were already attempting to limit the power of gender expectations on their two older boys by, for example, allowing them to freely choose their activities, their hairstyles, and even their dress. They wanted to let their children choose their own gender expressions, a freedom that Feinberg would have greatly appreciated.
With their third child, Storm, they were taking another step away from gender conventions, going well beyond notions of androgyny, by not revealing the sex of their newborn to anyone, not even to the grandparents. Could this experiment in gender freedom succeed?
The selections for this debate begin with an overview of the issues and an analysis of the end of gender written by reporter Linton Weeks of National Public Radio. Then, we meet Storms parents and learn about their viewpoint in a newspaper interview published in The Toronto Star in 2011 and in an update on the story from 2013. Next we consider a generally critical reaction to Storms parents from a story in The Globe and Mail and a generally supportive reaction from feminist blogger Megan Karius.
POINTS OF VIEW
The Overview from Weeks of NPR
To access this selection, go to
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137342682/the-end-of-gender
The Interview with the Parents
To access the interview, go to http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2011/05/21/parents_keep_childs_gender_secret.html
The Update
To access the update, go to
http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2013/11/15/remember_storm_we_check_in_on_the_baby_being_raised_genderneutral.html#
A Critique
To access the story from The Globe and Mail, go to
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/the-genderless-baby-well-intentioned-but-wrong/article624920/
A Statement of Support
To access the blog entry from Karious, go to
http://megankarius.com/2012/01/04/the-amazing-genderless-baby/
DEBATE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
In her NPR article, Weeks asks Does gender matter? How would you respond? What are some ways in which the importance of gender may be decreasing? Are these positive or negative trends? Why?
What exactly are Wittericks and Stockers goals in raising their children as they are? What do they hope to accomplish?
What objections do the critics raise to gender neutral child-rearing techniques and what are the arguments in support of Witterick and Stocker? Are these objections based on research, social convention, logic, religion, or something else? How would you evaluate these arguments?
If gender is a social convention, does it follow that children should be free to choose their own gender expressions? Are there limits to gender freedom?
Do you suppose that Storm (and his or her older brothers) would be better adjusted and happier than other children? Why or why not?
Is this attempt to break the bonds of societal expectations fair to the children involved?
(Optional) Search the Internet for any updates on Storm. Do more recent developments tend to support or refute Witterick and Stocker? How?
SUBR – 2021 Spring Main (SUBR) – Minority Group Relations (SOCL-434B-01)
BRC Should Children Be Raised Genderless the Gender Roles in Society Discussion
Description
Students,
Please see below for your assignment based on Chapter 11. You are to respond to one of the questions from the list based on the information presented below.
Should Children Be Raised Genderless?
OVERVIEW
If gender is a social construction, as we have argued in this text, should boys and girls be raised differently? Do gender expectations limit the free development of children and force them to conform to roles that may be contrary to their needs, talents, and potentials? Arent gender roles a form of oppression, as illustrated by the Narrative Portrait of Leslie Feinberg in Chapter 11?
These are not merely rhetorical questions. In 2011, a Canadian couple Kathy Witterick and David Stocker told their family and friends that they would not reveal the sex of Storm, their newborn baby. They wanted to raise their child gender neutral and avoid the classifications and expectations characteristically attached to little girls and boys.
They were already attempting to limit the power of gender expectations on their two older boys by, for example, allowing them to freely choose their activities, their hairstyles, and even their dress. They wanted to let their children choose their own gender expressions, a freedom that Feinberg would have greatly appreciated.
With their third child, Storm, they were taking another step away from gender conventions, going well beyond notions of androgyny, by not revealing the sex of their newborn to anyone, not even to the grandparents. Could this experiment in gender freedom succeed?
The selections for this debate begin with an overview of the issues and an analysis of the end of gender written by reporter Linton Weeks of National Public Radio. Then, we meet Storms parents and learn about their viewpoint in a newspaper interview published in The Toronto Star in 2011 and in an update on the story from 2013. Next we consider a generally critical reaction to Storms parents from a story in The Globe and Mail and a generally supportive reaction from feminist blogger Megan Karius.
POINTS OF VIEW
The Overview from Weeks of NPR
To access this selection, go to
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137342682/the-end-of-gender
The Interview with the Parents
To access the interview, go to http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2011/05/21/parents_keep_childs_gender_secret.html
The Update
To access the update, go to
http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2013/11/15/remember_storm_we_check_in_on_the_baby_being_raised_genderneutral.html#
A Critique
To access the story from The Globe and Mail, go to
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/the-genderless-baby-well-intentioned-but-wrong/article624920/
A Statement of Support
To access the blog entry from Karious, go to
http://megankarius.com/2012/01/04/the-amazing-genderless-baby/
DEBATE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
In her NPR article, Weeks asks Does gender matter? How would you respond? What are some ways in which the importance of gender may be decreasing? Are these positive or negative trends? Why?
What exactly are Wittericks and Stockers goals in raising their children as they are? What do they hope to accomplish?
What objections do the critics raise to gender neutral child-rearing techniques and what are the arguments in support of Witterick and Stocker? Are these objections based on research, social convention, logic, religion, or something else? How would you evaluate these arguments?
If gender is a social convention, does it follow that children should be free to choose their own gender expressions? Are there limits to gender freedom?
Do you suppose that Storm (and his or her older brothers) would be better adjusted and happier than other children? Why or why not?
Is this attempt to break the bonds of societal expectations fair to the children involved?
(Optional) Search the Internet for any updates on Storm. Do more recent developments tend to support or refute Witterick and Stocker? How?
SUBR – 2021 Spring Main (SUBR) – Minority Group Relations (SOCL-434B-01)

RUBRIC

Excellent Quality

95-100%

Introduction

45-41 points

The context and relevance of the issue, as well as a clear description of the study aim, are presented. The history of searches is discussed.

Literature Support

91-84 points

The context and relevance of the issue, as well as a clear description of the study aim, are presented. The history of searches is discussed.

Methodology

58-53 points

With titles for each slide as well as bulleted sections to group relevant information as required, the content is well-organized. Excellent use of typeface, color, images, effects, and so on to improve readability and presenting content. The minimum length criterion of 10 slides/pages is reached.

Average Score

50-85%

40-38 points

More depth/information is required for the context and importance, otherwise the study detail will be unclear. There is no search history information supplied.

83-76 points

There is a review of important theoretical literature, however there is limited integration of research into problem-related ideas. The review is just partly focused and arranged. There is research that both supports and opposes. A summary of the material given is provided. The conclusion may or may not include a biblical integration.

52-49 points

The content is somewhat ordered, but there is no discernible organization. The use of typeface, color, graphics, effects, and so on may sometimes distract from the presenting substance. It is possible that the length criteria will not be reached.

Poor Quality

0-45%

37-1 points

The context and/or importance are lacking. There is no search history information supplied.

75-1 points

There has been an examination of relevant theoretical literature, but still no research concerning problem-related concepts has been synthesized. The review is just somewhat focused and organized. The provided overview of content does not include any supporting or opposing research. The conclusion has no scriptural references.

48-1 points

There is no logical or apparent organizational structure. There is no discernible logical sequence. The use of typeface, color, graphics, effects, and so on often detracts from the presenting substance. It is possible that the length criteria will not be reached.