Gender Neutral Kindergarten in Sweden

[ScandalAndy]

Just to clear up my position on this entire thing:

I believe that in America we have firmly constructed rigid gender classifications based on post-war nuclear family structure. Men are assumed to be bigger, stronger, breadwinners, take out the trash, lift the heavy things, fix the lawnmower, less concerned about appearance/clothing, encouraged to participate in rough/competitive activities, and anything that falls into this arena is considered masculine, associated with male gendered behavior. Women are assumed to be smaller, weaker, child-rearing caregivers, food preparers, clean the house, more concerned about appearance/clothing, and prefer gentler, softer clothing/activities, anything that falls under that umbrella is considered feminine, associated with female gendered behavior.

I agree that parents should be the forefront of change and should actively seek to discourage classification of things such as "boy's toys" and "girl's games", however, I think this behavior absolutely must be reinforced outside of the home as well. I believe that the only way we can destroy this gendered sorting of human beings is by aggressively obliterating that type of judgment from our society. I think what this school is doing is a first step in that direction, which is why I support it.


ETA: I believe children should learn all behaviors without the stigma of gender, and ESPECIALLY not with the threat of being punished for enjoying activities that do not fit into the box of traits that are supposed to correspond to their biological sex, which, as has been stated previously, is not the same as gender.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by ScandalAndy

Just to clear up my position on this entire thing:

I believe that in America we have firmly constructed rigid gender classifications based on post-war nuclear family structure. Men are assumed to be bigger, stronger, breadwinners, take out the trash, lift the heavy things, fix the lawnmower, less concerned about appearance/clothing, encouraged to participate in rough/competitive activities, and anything that falls into this arena is considered masculine, associated with male gendered behavior. Women are assumed to be smaller, weaker, child-rearing caregivers, food preparers, clean the house, more concerned about appearance/clothing, and prefer gentler, softer clothing/activities, anything that falls under that umbrella is considered feminine, associated with female gendered behavior.

I agree that parents should be the forefront of change and should actively seek to discourage classification of things such as "boy's toys" and "girl's games", however, I think this behavior absolutely must be reinforced outside of the home as well. I believe that the only way we can destroy this gendered sorting of human beings is by aggressively obliterating that type of judgment from our society. I think what this school is doing is a first step in that direction, which is why I support it.

...were we separated at birth??

[tapu]

I have not seen one pre-school--now, granted I've only spent time in maybe 8-10 (and only on the coasts so yes, more progressive)--that delineates the sexes, the play, the toys in classroom set-up or on-going direction.

Of course, there are promoting or limiting gender-directed behaviors that the caregivers have and that could be modified through outside observation and feedback. Overall, it has seemed to me that there is a natural division in interest that the kids display, along gender lines.

But... what exactly IS the problem when little girls choose the dolls and such and little boys choose the trains and such?

I live in a very progressive city (Portland, ME), and I think it's fairly well entrenched here that if "Biff" wants to wear a tutu to the museum play, he gets to. (real-life example) If "Nell" is into her trucks, no one worries a thing about it.

What is happening in progressive classrooms like that that is undesirable or unnatural that could be done better? What change being engineered is desired, exactly?

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by tapu

I have not seen one pre-school--now, granted I've only spent time in maybe 8-10 (and only on the coasts so yes, more progressive)--that delineates the sexes, the play, the toys in classroom set-up or on-going direction.

The class rooms in public schools are fairly PC these days. It's what goes on in the school yard....

Originally Posted by tapu

Of course, there are promoting or limiting gender-directed behaviors that the caregivers have and that could be modified through outside observation and feedback. Overall, it has seemed to me that there is a natural division in interest that the kids display, along gender lines.

Yes.... There is a division of interest along sex lines - not gender lines. (I'm a gender deconstructionist.)

You and I may be lucky that our kids fit sex-based, gender expectations. Not all parents and kids are so lucky....

Originally Posted by tapu

But... what exactly IS the problem when little girls choose the dolls and such and little boys choose the trains and such?

The problem is that the options are artificially limited whether a child opts to exercise them or not.

Originally Posted by tapu

I live in a very progressive city (Portland, ME), and I think it's fairly well entrenched here that if "Biff" wants to wear a tutu to the museum play, he gets to. (real-life example) If "Nell" is into her trucks, no one worries a thing about it.

You're regionally blessed.

Originally Posted by tapu

What is happening in progressive classrooms like that that is undesirable or unnatural that could be done better? What change being engineered is desired, exactly?

As ScandalAndy suggested, that's a whole other thread.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Chazz

tap: What is happening in progressive classrooms like that that is undesirable or unnatural that could be done better? What change being engineered is desired, exactly?

As ScandalAndy suggested, that's a whole other thread.

Really now? I would say that it's the fundamental question to be answered in the context of this thread. It's stepping back and questioning your assumptions.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by tapu

Really now? I would say that it's the fundamental question to be answered in the context of this thread. It's stepping back and questioning your assumptions.

Nah.... I'll leave that to you.

I'm too busy questioning the wisdom of this gender neutral business.

In the spirit of gender and cultural neutrality, perhaps the school officials could have the kids wear their hair like this ---->

[ScandalAndy]

Originally Posted by Chazz

Nah.... I'll leave that to you.

I'm too busy questioning the wisdom of this gender neutral business.

In the spirit of gender and cultural neutrality, perhaps the school officials could have the kids wear their hair like this ---->

I'm sorry that you think this topic is so goofy that you choose to invalidate it by making a mockery of it.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by ScandalAndy

I'm sorry that you think this topic is so goofy that you choose to invalidate it by making a mockery of it.

I'm sorry you see it as a mockery. But, to be precise, I said the idea of gender neutral classrooms is goofy.

I don't want to live in a gender neutral world. I just want there to be a multiplicity of gender expression that isn't hierarchical, sexist, or falsely dualistic.

I think we've pretty much exhausted our exchange at this point.