QOTW: Sexual Discrimination

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
QOTW: Sexual Discrimination
6
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 10:25am

OQTW--In our world today, sexual discrimination is a constant issue that is being addressed and faced at all ages.


It starts young---girls can't do this, or boys shouldn't do this.


And as they age we hit where we have to hire women for status or men should only hold this type of job.


So my question is....how are you raising and teaching your tween-teen about sexual discrimination and how to over come it.


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Avatar for bradleyteach
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2001
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 5:12pm

I've always raised my kids with the understanding that they can and should be whatever they want.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 6:53pm

I suppose I grew up in a pretty gender traditional home. We lived on a farm, my grandfather did the farming, my grandmother cared for the family although she milked cows and stuff like that. She didn't drive a tractor though. But my Grandfather also washed dishes and shucked peas so I saw a bit of crossover and never heard anything negative.


I have tried to let Kristen know she can be what she wants. I think she's had some good role models. She has always had a female Dr. so it likely wouldn't occur to her that women AREN'T Drs. She's had some great male teachers so I don't think she sees that as strictly a female domain but of course TV and movies does help reinforce the stereotypes. Not many male nurses on TV. I think perhaps the fact that her Dad and I had a fairly non-traditional relationship has helped. I went to work everyday, he stayed home. Also since we've split she's seen me do all the things a man would do (building furniture, using tools, getitng the car fixed) and seen her Dad doing all the things a woman can do (cooking, cleaning, laundry). So if there is an upside to us being split its that she's seen a man or a woman can do it all. That there is nothing that says as a woman I can't make end tables form my bedroom from scratch or that her Dad can't make chocolate chip cookies (I think they were edible LOL). The kind of jobs she's been thinking about are pretty gender neutral so it hasn't come up and if she wanted to be a nurse I'd be fine with that as long as she wasn't choosing that because she didn't think that being a Dr. was out of her reach because she's a girl.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2006
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 7:19pm

I was raised by a VERY gender-specific mom (I wasn't allowed to take drum lessons because drums were "not for girls"). I try very hard not to impose gender restrictions on my boys. My middle son loves to cook and help me decorate the house for holidays. He wanted My Littlest Pet Shop for Christmas. My mom said, "but its pink" and he replied "but it has animals". I bought it for him and he plays with it every day. I also tell my boys not to pigeon hole anyone. Girls can do anything boys can do and vice versa.

As for jobs, I believe that if you can physically do a job, you should be able to.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-1998
Tue, 01-22-2008 - 2:19pm

I don't think it's really possible to raise kids in a "gender-neutral" way because the genders really *are* different. But I try to make sure my kids don't feel limited by this in their choice of interests and professions. Neither child has made any statement to me that made me think they felt certain jobs were off limits because of their gender. (Not counting the day my daughter told my son that their new dentist was a man. My son, who

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Tue, 01-22-2008 - 3:29pm
I was brought up to know that if there is something you want or want to learn. figure it out. Gender did not matter in my house. I grew up with two boys and if i wanted to "fit in" or "get attention" I had to do what they were doing. So I learned. I can play football just as well as any "guy" could on my street. I can hit a baseball really well and I can catch those fast balls... As for working on my car, I knew the basics. I could not drive my car if i didnt. As for learning other "male jobs" I learned what i needed to know. basic things. my parents were very clear on that. there is nothing that I can not do that a male can....... guess thats why I dont depend on one now.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2004
Wed, 01-23-2008 - 12:55am

Discrimination, sexual, racial, religious