I challenge the concept of completely eliminating gender stereotypes. I think that everyone should be treated equally and hired based on their abilities and experience. However, I do not think it is theoretically possible to get rid of gender differences. Most stereotypes originate from observations and/or patterns. The assumptions and stereotypes created based on these observations may be false. This is seen in the history of racial issues. Europeans had a concept of intelligence and civilized living, and Africans, Americans (natives of South, Middle, North), etc. ways of living defied their definitions. The observations of the Europeans were that they live in huts and wore barely anything. The assumption was that they are less intelligent and civilized because of it. I am not personally supporting the idea that one way is more “civilized” or better than another. I am simply making the point that the stereotype came from observations from the Europeans. The same thing happened with gender stereotypes. Assumptions and roles were created based on observations of biological differences. The difference between race and gender is that there IS a biological difference between males and females whereas there is no difference between races other than their skin pigmentation. Although we can probably minimize the stereotypes, there is nothing we can do about the biological differences. First of all, there are organ differences that we will never be rid of. Males and females cannot escape their bodies being identified as one or the other. Then, there are different amounts of hormones being pumped into our brains and throughout our bodies. These allegedly cause differing behaviors which I will not go into mostly because I think we should not use this as an excuse for actions. Plus, it is debatable as to how much it really affects us. Instead, I will focus on how the hormones affect the bodily appearance. Women end up with curvier hips, a different angled pelvis, and breasts. Even facial features tend to be different although I am not sure if I think this because of stereotypes or because it is actually true. Men end up with broader shoulders, bulkier muscles, an Adam’s apple, and deeper voices. So, men being generally stronger took on the role as leader which makes sense in a world in which the bigger and stronger win. These generalizations have been added to and compounded and exploded into the stereotypes that we know today. There are, of course, exceptions to the above statements: genetically altering our species so that we are all one gender and taking on a different form of reproduction; having surgery to alter one’s sex organs; and people who are born with ambiguous sex identities. Plus, these are the observations of patterns and thus only MOSTLY true. It is not 100% fact that a male will be stronger than a female, for example. This causes problems for those that do not fit the majority.
That is why I do not think that it is possible to entirely eliminate the gender roles. I, personally, have no problem with it as long as I am able to live the life I want to live. I also don’t think that gender differences should be something that is evil and “dangerous.” It is only dangerous when you look down upon a certain way of living as inferior and wrong.
I also agree that is it almost impossible to completely eliminate gender roles, especially in children’s literature. But I think there are ways to broaden our views and assumptions about gender roles and stereotypes by adjusting some of those roles in the books we choose to read children. There are so many different books available in our world today and we need to take advantage of this when choosing books for children. One way to challenge the stereotype that was addressed about men being stronger and always winning is finding a book with a female hero. Find a book that has a woman saving a man from a dangerous situation, instead of the classic male saving a female. Reading this in front of a class would give girls and boys another viewpoint that challenges the age old stereotype. This would give them the knowledge that women could save a man and men are not all powerful. Reading these types of books that challenge stereotypes will give children a better sense of what they can do and what the world is actually like.
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