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From: mason@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Mason)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Non-Sexist Upbringing
Message-ID: <4388@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-May-84 17:39:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.4388
Posted: Wed May 23 17:39:38 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 23-May-84 18:43:41 EDT
References: <264@masscomp.UUCP>
Organization: University of Toronto/Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Lines: 31

In partial reply to Andy Tannenbaum (Masscomp).

Some people do not seem to be aware that virtually everything children
see implies to them that men are better than women.  I do not agree
that men are better than women; I DO agree that they are different,
and I think that difference is important.  I was suggesting that
there must be some way to prevent other people from imposing their
(Communist?) viewpoint on my children.  I can not own a television
and save them from that source of junk, but when they are 2 years
old and meet someone who, if the child is a boy will say: "Are you
going to be a computer scientist when you grow up?" or if the child
is a girl will say: "Are you going to be a nurse when you grow up or
just keep house?" there is not much I can do according to conventional
wisdom.  My question was "Can I overcome this?" and "Will this help?"

I am very aware of what a negative parent can do to a person's self
image, as my wife is still struggling against that burden.  But I
am also aware of the effect of this society on most children.

Obviously once the children are 5 or so, they will be able to discuss
these negative comments and we will hopefully be able to work things
through as they come up, but it is the first few years when they are
very easily influenced, but not able to reason well that concern me.
(Note the word Communist was intended as a humourous response to
ATs suggestion that considering men & women equal was fascist).
-- 
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	!utcsrgv!mason		Dave Mason, U. Toronto CSRG
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