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November 09, 2005
Nature vs. Nurture
I found the article, “Why Boys Don’t Play with Dolls” particularly intriguing. Nature vs. Nurture has been debated for years. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have had to argue both sides before during biology class. It is just such a tough topic to debate because there is not much explicit evidence that explains the situation either way. In the article, this paragraph, in particular, interested me: “Could it be that even sports-resistant moms see athletics as part of manliness? That if their sons wanted to spend the weekend writing up their diaries, or reading, or baking, they’d find it disturbing? Too anti-social? Too lonely? Too gay?” (317) I can see where the article is going with this statement, but for me, I disagree. If a boy wanted to write poetry, maybe slam poetry or raps all weekend, that wouldn’t be that unbelievable, would it? Can’t writing be a release for boys as well? Personally, I don’t consider writing in a diary a release but more of a hassle. I guess my views are a result of how I was brought up. My mother and father always forced me and my brother to explore every area of life; both stereotypical boy activities and stereotypical girl activities. I learned how to change a tire, wire a light, build a cradle, paint my room by myself, cook, clean, sew, balance a checkbook, make a budget, use a drill, drive a standard, etc. My parents instilled in me that as long I have the will, the confidence, and God, I can do anything. They not only encouraged me to take art or child development in school (mostly attended by females), but also engineering and computer language classes (completely male dominated—only girl). These experiences have truly shaped me as a person. In the end, I think Pollitt hits the nail right on the head when she says, “that’s why, if you look carefully, you’ll find for every kid who fits a stereotype, there’s another who’s breaking one down. Sometimes, it’s the same kid—the boy who skateboard and takes cooking in his afterschool program; the girl who collects stuffed animals and A-pluses in science” (317). Can’t we all aspire to be like this?
**Additional Comment: I thought the comic attached to the article was hilarious and so true!
-Christina
Posted by lcisgancarz at November 9, 2005 10:01 PM
Comments
Christina-- I really enjoyed your blog. In particular, I also enjoyed the part of the essay which said, “Could it be that even sports-resistant moms see athletics as part of manliness?". My mother is completely anti-sports, she hates watching them, going to sporting events, or anything else involved with sports. However, at the same time, my eleven-year old brother is participating in cross-country, swimming, basketball, soccer, and baseball. Thus, I think that alot of stereotypes shine through our feelings and position on a certain subject. However, the second part of the quotation is untrue in this situation. Pollitt says, "That if their sons wanted to spend the weekend writing up their diaries, or reading, or baking, they’d find it disturbing? Too anti-social? Too lonely? Too gay?”. This is untrue for my brother, for he loves to write, read, and organize things in general and my mother definetely encourages him. He loves to make charts for everything: whether it be chores for each family member, things he has to do, or anything. In conclusion, I think it is possible for children to break through the gender-based stereotypes that are placed on them, yet, at the same time, they do succumb to some.
Posted by: Brenna at November 12, 2005 11:02 AM