ITO YUNG QUESTION:

Many parts of our lives are divided along gender lines: toys, clothing,
communication, jobs, sports, etc. Are gender lines stables and unchanging, or
can they be manipulated and changed? Should they be?

True or false a persons room says a lot about them. For example, would
it follow that Person A, with a pink room and dolls and accessories in the room
be a girl? If so, would Person A be a girly girl or would Person A be a tomboy?
Consequently, will Person B, with a blue room and toy cars be ascribed to the
male sex, as either a mans man or a ladys man? How about Person C who has
a white room with only the necessary items? A bed, a chair, a desk, and a few
clothes?
Maybe someone would answer the counterintuitive and say that it is false
because objects, the room and its contents, are not determinative of a persons
personality. These objects may simply reflect functionality over aesthetic or of
accessibility over choice. Otherwise, most would answer true and say that the
same objects are exact reflections of nature and nurture. In other words, these
objects reveal gender lines that the person subscribes to, or rather, is obligated
to subscribe to. However, upon a closer look, these gender lines are subject to
change and manipulation over time. Especially now when gender fluidity is
promoted through media and when genderless clothing is being applauded. The
true question now is whether this is a good thing or not. Will it benefit people,
children especially, or will it lead to a chaotic society? Or will it have no effect?
Besides, gender roles are only societal norms dictating which behaviors are
proper for a certain perceived sex. Therefore, changing it would not disrupt
society as a whole.
The answer to the question may be hinted at in two publications Even
9-Month-Olds Choose Gender-Specific Toys (CITE MO TO) and Bros Before
Hos: The Guy Code (ITO RIN). Discussed in the first article is when these
stereotypical gender preferences take root. Is it an innate preference or does a
child acquire it as they grow older? The article argues that while socialization,
including the influence of parents and culture in general, affects children since
they are sponges during the early stages of their lives, infants have already
shown these preferences prior to being exposed to external stimuli. The article
also further discusses the impact of socialization. These gender-specific
performances are more established as the child grows older (CITE MO TO
GALING TO SA EVEN 9 MONTH OLD). The article goes on to state that:
the impact of socialization should never be underestimated,
Gilliam said. Studies have shown parents and others interact
differently with female and male babies from almost the instant
theyre born, Gilliam said.
Even when theyre infants, fathers tend to encourage more active
play with boy babies, by playfully tickling or poking them, while
they tend to hold girl babies closer. Parents have also been

observed spending more time talking to girls than to boys. (CITE

MO TO GALING TO SA EVEN 9 MONTH OLD)
Furthermore, the article cited an article which stated that there is no
association between what the parents consider as gender-appropriate toys and
their respective roles at home and the toys that the children prefer. (CITE mMO
TO GALING TO SA EVEN 9 MONTH OLD).
The article ended with a recommendation to parents to keep in mind that
their own stereotypical notions affect the upbringing of the child.
The other article, Bros Before Hos: The Guy Code focuses on
masculinity, its characteristics, manifestations, causes, and effects. It
summarized four basic masculinity rules, and although they have changed over
time, succinctly show what masculinity is: (1) No Sissy Stuff, or no
weaknesses, (2) Be a Big Wheel, or be successful, (3) Be a Sturdy Oak, or be
reliable, and (4) Give em Hell, or exhibit aggression. (CITE MO TO FOR BROS
BEFORE HOS)
The article went on to discuss who influences young boys to ascribe to
manliness. These turned out to be the male figures from fathers to older
brothers, to male teachers, and coaches. As regards female influences,
Noted playwright David Mamet explains why women dont even
enter the mix. Women have, in mens minds, such a low place on
the social ladder of this country that its useless to define yourself
in terms of a woman. What men need is mens approval. While
women often become a kind of currency by which men negotiate
their status with other men, women are for possessing, not for
emulating. (CITE BROS BEFORE HOS)
It also discusses the effects of policing masculinity. It juxtaposed
manliness against slurs hurled towards men that aim to emasculate
them or question their manliness. Its effects were also examined and
shown to be manifested through aggression and violence and that as a
result of being so disconnected from their emotions since emotions, and
its display, are not manly, suicide and mental illnesses are more
pervasive in males.
The article seemed to answer the question of whether masculinity
is hard-wired but it left the question of whether it is coerced or policed by
other males.