Gender Socialization

The article this week argues that males and females are actually more alike than we originally thought. "the gender similarities hypothesis holds that males and females are similar on most, but not all, psychological variables." This may surprise us at first, however I think that it is extremely true, especially now in the 21st century. Unlike fifty years ago, there are many less expectations on what it means to be a boy and what it means to be a girl. These expectations aren't just physical anymore either. Girls and boys are more comfortable now with acting like a the opposite gender. These specifications still exist; but now adays homosexuality, cross-dressing, and gender switches blur the lines of what it means to be either male or female. It is no longer socially unacceptable to question your gender. Although not exactly common, boys decide to become girls and girls decide they were meant to be boys all the time. In fact, the differences in boys and girls may eventually become obsolete and unecessary. However we won't know until that happens.

Girls and Boys

The ways that boys and girls are treated as small children is very different. But is there really a purpose for this? Why don't mothers paint their daughters bedrooms with firetrucks and baseballs? And why is it so frowned upon for young boys to enjoy ballet or figure skating? Many scientists believe that this is not biologically predetermined whether you adapt male or female tendencies. Which means that it is all left up to nurture. Our world would be extremely different if there was no gender distinction. Aside from reproduction, is there really a reason for separating males and females? Many women fight for equality; however, if differences in sex didn't exist at all...would our world really be better? I'd like to think that there are advantages to being separate. For one thing it certainly makes life more interesting and exciting. It also creates a more competitive atmosphere for mating. Perhaps society goes a little overboard on pink wallpaper for girls and thrusting baseball bats into boys hands practically as they exit the womb. Yet gender distinction keeps society moving smoothly. Interruptions in this order are not smiled upon.

Isolation and Online Socialization

I was very surprised to find the Frontline video very accurate. Sometimes movies about the Internet get outdated so quickly that when we watch them in school, we just laugh at their inaccuracy. However, this movie got a lot of things right. What really struck me was when they asked the kids about how they avoid predators. I completely agree with the fact that most kids aren't on chat sites, and are definitely not looking to talk to strangers and give away personal information. On the other hand, in the beginning of this movie they emphasized the gaming that kids do online. I think that they focus too much on this. Although many kids do play online games, I believe that the majority of the time is spent networking with friends. Only a minority of kids get together to play these games together.

On the positive side, the Internet helps kids learn to type faster, which may seem futile, but when it comes to typing papers and doing school work it makes a big difference. Also, I think that in some cases social networking can help face to face socialization. However, the Internet IS dangerous, and we've all seen kids get kicked off sports for drinking pictures. Or having their Facebook hacked.

On the opposite end of the spectrum you have feral children. Where as most kids these days are increasing the amount of other people they talk to, feral children have noone. I think that most of what a feral child is missing is nurture. It is in our biological makeup to act like a human; to eat, walk and survive. However, things like eating with utensils, reading, talking and dressing are not instinctual. Children learn how to act in a social environment by watching others. If scientists were able to conduct an experiment where the feral child was able to watch humans but not interact with them, I believe they would be much more advanced. We learn and adapt so much by conforming with others. Of course without nurturing from a parental figure or being taught how to do certain things a child will be wild and lagging in development.