Gender Neutral Kindergarten in Sweden

[Heart]

Originally Posted by ScandalAndy

I do not understand why you believe that a gender neutral classroom does not validate multiple gendered experiences...

That's interesting... what exactly is "gender-neutral," how is it achieved, maintained? Does it validate multiple gender experiences while reducing stereotypes or does it erase/minimize/police gender? Is it liberating or stifling?

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Heart

That's interesting... what exactly is "gender-neutral," how is it achieved, maintained? Does it validate multiple gender experiences while reducing stereotypes or does it erase/minimize/police gender? Is it liberating or stifling?

Remember that we are discussing a kindergarten classroom here...not a college sociology experiment. In my opinion these children's experiences are validated 150% simply by allowing them the freedom to create their own identities and "roles" within the safety of their classroom. By negating gender oriented language/toys/stereotypical representations of boys and girls, the children are afforded the opportunity to create...to actively engage in an etherial realm uninhibited by societal constraints that have been punctuated by the male-female dichotomy. Play, in all its magnificent forms, allows the child to cultivate a healthy curiosity that in turn (over time - via life experiences) metamorphosizes into an ideology.

[ScandalAndy]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

Remember that we are discussing a kindergarten classroom here...not a college sociology experiment. In my opinion these children's experiences are validated 150% simply by allowing them the freedom to create their own identities and "roles" within the safety of their classroom. By negating gender oriented language/toys/stereotypical representations of boys and girls, the children are afforded the opportunity to create...to actively engage in an etherial realm uninhibited by societal constraints that have been punctuated by the male-female dichotomy. Play, in all its magnificent forms, allows the child to cultivate a healthy curiosity that in turn (over time - via life experiences) metamorphosizes into an ideology.

Definitely separated at birth!

[tapu]

I found it was very helpful to me, working in textbook publishing, to get near an actual child upon occasion.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by Heart

That's interesting... what exactly is "gender-neutral," how is it achieved, maintained? Does it validate multiple gender experiences while reducing stereotypes or does it erase/minimize/police gender? Is it liberating or stifling?

Exactly....

Your post conjures memories of my days as a Catholic School student. It was stifling as a female and as a butchling. Talk about being erased, minimized and gender policed. YIKES ! ! ! !

I remember perceiving the nuns as sexless and genderless (they wore habits at the time). The experience left me with a sense of barrenness and sterility that is vivid, even now.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Chazz

Exactly....

Your post conjures memories of my days as a Catholic School student. It was stifling as a female and as a butchling. Talk about being erased, minimized and gender policed. YIKES ! ! ! !

I remember perceiving the nuns as sexless and genderless (they wore habits at the time). The experience left me with a sense of barrenness and sterility that is vivid, even now.

Sounds like you're bailing on us! >:-(

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by tapu

Sounds like you're bailing on us! >:-(

I never bail, I wait.