Gender and Family Life

 Hey Everyone! 

I don't know if it's only me but I feel this past few weeks have gone by fast. Next week I will be halfway through my semester and I still can't believe it. This week in my Family Relation class we talked about gender and family life. This topic is a controversial topic due to the factors and our own opinions based on what is the norm for each one of us and what is happening nowadays. I would like to remind you that in topics like this we all have a point of view and it may differ from others' judgment but we all should be respectful and be open to learning from others' opinions. Give the opportunity to know others' opinions doesn't mean you are agreeing with them but it means that you respect them as a person; therefore, you decide to listen and know why they think the way they do.

Okay! This week we talked about gender and how gender not only affects you since you are a child but also as you grow. Some of the most interesting things that called my attention in that area are that usually, society has the concept that blue, black, etc. are typically for guys and pink things are for girls. While we were mentioned this I was reminded of a book I was reading called "Why gender matters?" There is a section of the book where the writer shares a study that was done on children about color preference and how this was also demonstrated at the time to draw. The study showed that the retina is full of receptors for sex hormones (Sax M.D). Due to some cells that we all have in the retina called M cells which men usually tend to have more and thicker ones than males they usually have thinner cells. The book gives an example of how those affect everyone since they are children. At a school, we usually see children drawing, If a teacher asks the children to draw something on their piece of paper and places the color at the center of the table. Boys would be usually more persuaded to chose the blue, gray, black colors whereas the girls would choose bright colors such as red, pink, purple, etc. This happens because according to the book is the way that the cells are wired M cells are mostly wired. 

Another way that we can see some gender differences would be with toys. Now that I have explained a little bit about color preferences is not only about society but also has something to be with science in our body. We all know that usually, girls tend to choose more dolls, kitchen toys, etc. whereas boys like cars, construction toys, etc. There is also a scientific explanation for that boys like more motion and therefore they like things that involve those types of things on their toys. Although one of the videos I was watching in order to prepare for my class was related to gender and how sometimes parents try to impose on their child what color of clothes they should wear or type of toys they should like. As we were having a discussion in groups, my group and I, we discussed how sometimes those actions make us take the agency of our child and not only that but private them from knowing only one side of things. Having a more open mind in toys in my personal opinion can help children to explore other possibilities and not get stuck in old years where women only did certain duties as taking care of babies, cooking, etc. I think playing plays a huge impact in everyone's life because you develop a little bit of a sense of what you see in the real-world as the dramatic play of something you aspire to be one day as a doctor, nurse, etc. Gender is a delicate topic but at the same time a fun one, everyone is different and I would like to end by saying that in the end, we are all beautifully created in God's image; therefore, we all have the potential to accomplish things that we want to and that comes from the agency given from God. 

Also, If you are interested in the book I mentioned I will leave the look below. 

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Gender-Matters-Teachers-Differences/dp/0767916255

Have a great week,

Nahomy S