So, these days whenever I have the TV on it is usually on the Nick Jr channel. My daughter has joined the ranks of preschoolers that loves Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go, and The Backyardigans, and recently added to the list is Kai-lan. Many of have you have commented on gender messages that you have seen in sitcoms or drama series like Sex in the City or Grey's Anatomy. How about cartoons? What are your thoughts about the gender messages that are coming through these shows? And, how have these messages changed from when you were a child and watched cartoons? Recently, even Sesame Street introduced a new female character named AbbyCadabby after years of male characters moving to Sesame Street. Dora is an explorer, and with her side kick Boots the monkey they take on adventures! My daughter is learning a lot of words and images, music from this show but what messages about gender? Dora isn't the sidekick but leads the adventures. She figures things out and solves problems as her famous line at the end of the show says "we did it". Kai-lan is another female lead. I watch her as she watches these shows and I am wondering what is she really learning here. What messages about how to think, act, behavior is she absorbing? I like the idea of female leads in these shows as I never had cartoons or really any children's programming when I was a child. (Actuallly, Sesame Street didn't come into existence until I was about 12 y ears old. So, do you think cartoons are adhering to gender stereotypes or are we breaking new ground? What are the words, dress and other nonverbals seen in these characters? How about the storylines? Many women have remarked in journal entries and posts that you weren't allowed to play rough in "boy" play when you were younger. Dora climbs mountains, swings from ropes, and jumps over alligators, and even rides on the backs of dolphins! she dresses in shorts but has a little bracelet on. Wears sneakers but wears clothes that are purple (girl) and orange(boy).
Do you think cartoons are early messages to our preschoolers about gender? If so, what are these messages.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Week #4 Should gender be a consideration for adoption?
Hi Everyone,
So, I don't advertise this information but, my daughter was adopted. I adopted her after years of unsuccessfully having a biological child. I bring this topic up in our blog discussion to look at a gender issue that exists currently in adoption. One of the things that I came across was the selectiveness of adoption agencies and adoption websites. There are certain agencies and websites that will not take on gay couples as clients. They limit their services strictly to heterosexual couples only. I used a wonderful agency and they acted as agents for all couples, even singles. The website that I used to advertise was strictly for heterosexual couples. It was through their website that I built webpages and found my daughter. (It was the world wide web but, our birthmother lived in the same county!)
There were websites that were not selective and all people regardless of race, sex, age, maritial status were allowed to advertise their web pages. And, there were websites that strictly were used by gay couples. It was interesting as I read the profiles of the gay couples how long they had been committed to each other. Many were career oriented, and had interesting hobbies and travel experiences, etc. So, their biggest flaw was their marital status? Was it because they were unmarried or was it because they were gay? Or, both? (They also did not take on single parents either.)
Another interesting note: I would check back on the websites of gay couples and often, times, I would see that they found a child faster than my husband and I or, were back looking for a second couple. The stereotypes on gay couples adopting is still a strongly a negative one from my experience, and yet, I have witnessed many gay couples finding parenthood.
One of the things that upset me most through the process were people's expectations and stereotypes. My husband and I are more about what we feel and think and love than our outer exterior. A child knows no color, or sex, or race only love. They have no predetermined stereotypes and respond to being loved. Shouldn't the guideline be how much love you have to give and one's capability to nuture a baby into a kind, loving, responsible adult be the priority when adopting?
So, I don't advertise this information but, my daughter was adopted. I adopted her after years of unsuccessfully having a biological child. I bring this topic up in our blog discussion to look at a gender issue that exists currently in adoption. One of the things that I came across was the selectiveness of adoption agencies and adoption websites. There are certain agencies and websites that will not take on gay couples as clients. They limit their services strictly to heterosexual couples only. I used a wonderful agency and they acted as agents for all couples, even singles. The website that I used to advertise was strictly for heterosexual couples. It was through their website that I built webpages and found my daughter. (It was the world wide web but, our birthmother lived in the same county!)
There were websites that were not selective and all people regardless of race, sex, age, maritial status were allowed to advertise their web pages. And, there were websites that strictly were used by gay couples. It was interesting as I read the profiles of the gay couples how long they had been committed to each other. Many were career oriented, and had interesting hobbies and travel experiences, etc. So, their biggest flaw was their marital status? Was it because they were unmarried or was it because they were gay? Or, both? (They also did not take on single parents either.)
Another interesting note: I would check back on the websites of gay couples and often, times, I would see that they found a child faster than my husband and I or, were back looking for a second couple. The stereotypes on gay couples adopting is still a strongly a negative one from my experience, and yet, I have witnessed many gay couples finding parenthood.
One of the things that upset me most through the process were people's expectations and stereotypes. My husband and I are more about what we feel and think and love than our outer exterior. A child knows no color, or sex, or race only love. They have no predetermined stereotypes and respond to being loved. Shouldn't the guideline be how much love you have to give and one's capability to nuture a baby into a kind, loving, responsible adult be the priority when adopting?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)