Gender Neutral Kindergarten in Sweden

[ScandalAndy]

Originally Posted by Heart

I am very attached to my gender presentation and gender performance. Even as a child I played with gender, wandered around in it. I would hate to have gender removed from the energy exchange between people - because it's hot! Gender neutrality sounds chilling to me. I see no point in neutralizing gender because it's part of our humanity.

Gender stereotypes, on the other hand, are destrctive. So are racial stereotypes. But we aren't go to have "racially-neutral" classrooms. The point is not to neutralize gender, but to reinscribe the value assigned to gender differences and variety. In other words, gender equality, rather than gender neutraility would seem to be the key.

Heart

I think we have a gigantic disconnect between what you mean and what I mean when I say "gender neutral".

I use gender neutral language/pronouns in reference to some of my queer friends who prefer those pronouns and choose not to be defined by their gender. The exchanges with these individuals are just as exciting to me as those with individuals who clearly define their gender. Gender neutral language acknowledges that the individual can be anywhere on the spectrum and enjoy any combination of behaviors and activities, and I do not get to have the luxury of using gender to begin to interpret them. These individuals force me to dig deeper and find out more about them. This approach took some getting used to which, in turn, forced me to examine how large a role gender plays in my daily life.