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From: mason@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Mason)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Non-Sexist Upbringing
Message-ID: <4337@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-May-84 17:21:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.4337
Posted: Fri May 18 17:21:01 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 18-May-84 20:25:50 EDT
Organization: University of Toronto/Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Lines: 31

I have been thinking about sexism & have a question for the net.

What would be the result if for the first n (5<=n<=15) years of your
childrens' lives you did not publicly acknowledge which sex your child
was?  Would they grow up with the best of both worlds? the worst?
no difference? royally screwed up?

This would of course require great fortitude on the part of parents:
Finding baby clothes that weren't pink or blue.
An answer to the standard adult response to meeting the baby: "How cute.
	Is it a boy or a girl?" would have to be found.
	(I favour: "I don't consider that relevant.")
Grandparents would be particularly difficult.
Either non-sexed names would have to be found or the initial used as
	a nick name. (Vee instead of Vanessa or Victor)

Note that I am not suggesting that the child would be unaware of hes
	sex. (Although that is another variable that might be considered)

This of course is a natural consequence to my view that there is little
hope for real equality between the sexes within the current society
because of the massive indoctrination of children while their minds
are young and fertile.  I welcome discussion of this as well, but before
you flame think for a moment about the expectations your parents/society
had/has for you.
-- 
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	!utcsrgv!mason		Dave Mason, U. Toronto CSRG
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