A mountain is made of grains of sand

The above advertisement is a good example of what happens when we stop questioning how we unconsciously condition society. We talk of advancement but in reality socially changes little. Of how small phrases and dogmatic repetition, especially to the young, make the world we live in. A point I will come back to strongly in the next post I publish...

So directly with reference to the whole title of my blog “Thought's on programming gender roles in modern society” I point you at another good article by Kasey Edwards on Sexist Parenting. It describes how we are subtly programmed from an early age. Programmed by small instructional social code which embeds itself creating the deeper program path we almost blindly follow in later life.

“It feeds into a broader system that disadvantages and devalues women and squeezes men into a suffocating mould of masculinity.”

What to do when you witness sexist parenting - Kasey Edwards

In a more graphical post than usual and because of my net bound search for gender stereotyping imagery, here is another wonderful ridiculous piece of advertising to chew on...

But finally, I'll leave you with what I believe should be the main point of both Kesey's article and my blog, in the hope of a better future future for all...

Think before you speak to everyone, but especially to children for they are the grains of sand upon which the mountain that is our world, is made.

Men, better than women?

A deliberately provocative question. My answer and I'd hope most peoples would be a big fat "NO"!

"...a big part of our reluctance to feminise boys is about power and the systematic devaluation of women."

However this article called “The subconscious bias of 'unisex' baby name trends” by Kasey Edwards explores a little more about the issues and manifestations of the negativity of femininity in our culture, even if many are subconscious.

"...the reality is that this one-way naming trend is an expression of our casual and unexamined misogyny."

Whilst Kasey's article focuses on historical naming practices she goes on to mention similar trends in regard to toys and clothing and how this seems a 'one-way' street. Women can adopt the traits of men, but rarely ever the other way around.

"Why is it that only girls are permitted to enter the playground of gender fluidity? Might it be because, despite all our talk about gender equality, we still believe deep down that the worst thing a boy could be is like a girl?"

Her conclusions are very much where I was when I wrote my more fumbling post "Like a Girl" on the same issue, back in 2014...

If we believe in real freedom then we should all aspire to a fairer world for all women and men - and everyone in between. If we can't make a choice then there is no freedom. Let us not unconsciously propagate and unbalanced past and make sure it is a gender balanced world. And not like this old tie advert!

Why do we need gender on our passport?

Why is it even an issue? Read the BBC article here...

Boy Meets Girl - Again

It's a whole new series of "Boy Meets Girl" planned for 2016. Shooting to start in Manchester in February-ish - what happened to Tyneside...? Oh well, I love Manchester too.

“This series demonstrates comedy’s unique ability to bring insight, warmth and understanding to challenging subjects…”

Ok so I just joined Twitter. Yes I know it's about bloody time you might say. So this 'tweet' came my way and given I'd praised the original series thought I'd post it ahead of the series actually being on catch-up this time ;)

Transgender Day of Remembrance 20th November

Identifying gender when you're blind

So a quick and direct link to an interesting perspective on gender identity or rather identifying gender from the BBC? Not judging the article but for me the take out has to be...

“…with a little honesty and humour, I think it's turned out to be a valuable and thought-provoking experience for both of us.”

I’m sure that’s true regardless of gender or ability?

Go B-O-Y-S! Ra Ra!

Quick and I hope sweet n sour post here about boy cheerleaders. Don’t think it is or was something for me but hey, each to their own. Saw this so tiny snipped in the London Metro last Wednesday and thought I’d put it out there.

Google is your friend too, so just hit return and get some more info. So as usual for me the BBC had an interesting, if older, article and quote which seems more evidence of the males of the world being boxed in to a ridged role.

"When the men went away to fight in the first World War, women took over cheerleading and claimed it for themselves,"

Pat Hawkins, president of the UK Cheerleading Association 2010.