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From: mark@umcp-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Non-Sexist Upbringing
Message-ID: <7104@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 20-May-84 00:46:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.7104
Posted: Sun May 20 00:46:21 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 21-May-84 03:42:57 EDT
References: <4337@utcsrgv.UUCP> <1350@emory.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept.
Lines: 25

We have found useful discussing with our girls the sexism in
the society around them.  I explained to Nicole, when she
was about 4, that once upon a time everyone thought that
men were better than women.   But they were wrong, (just
like the earth being flat, not being able to fly, or whatever
other examples I think of at the moment).  But not everyone
knows that that idea was wrong.  Some people still think
that men are better than women (even some woment think that), 
and that is why (a) that woman is dressed like that, (b) that
man is saying those things, (c) whatever.

Nicole now can identify sexist situations and actions herself quite
well.  She seems to take the attitude towards them that while
she may want to wear a pretty dress (read flimsy) dress like
someone on TV, that will not limit HER, and she'll always know
that she is as good as anyone.

The concern:  sometimes I think she says certain things because
she knows I want to hear them.  Like: Daddy, I want to be a 
cocktail waitress AND an astronaut.

Sigh.
-- 
Spoken: Mark Weiser 	ARPA:	mark@maryland
CSNet:	mark@umcp-cs 	UUCP:	{seismo,allegra}!umcp-cs!mark