February 28, 2007

Audio Book

On the recommendation of one of the gals at the last Stitch and Bitch this past weekend, I downloaded an audio copy of Why Gender Matters.*

It's very intriguing. I listen to it and knit while Bean's asleep. Some of his theories seem a little far-fetched, but his opinion is backed by copious amounts of university-based biological and psychiatric research. It's very interesting to think that the 60's and 70's notion of providing gender-neutral education actually does a disservice to both girls and boys, albeit for different reasons.


*Did you know that the Clark County Library District lets you download certain book and audio titles right off their web site? Cool! One less opportunity for me to see sunshine!

Posted by Jen at February 28, 2007 7:50 PM
Comments

You can download audio titles from Princeton Public Library's site, too, but only for PCs. :(

Posted by: JennySmith at March 1, 2007 6:55 AM

I didn't know about the library downloads and will certainly be looking into that!

On the gender issue, it is way too complex a subject to cover in a comment and yes I know girls and boys are different (vive la difference!) but the first review of the book put me off. The movement in the 60s and 70s wasn't meant to "feminize boys and masculinize girls", it was meant to allow girls, who might want to, to play with toys and participate in activities traditionally associated with boys and vise versa. It is easy now to dismiss it but there was a time when all little girls had to wear dresses and learn to cook and sew because that was the role. OH boy (or girl) , I could go on but this is just a comment section.

Posted by: susan at March 1, 2007 7:28 AM

Coincidence? I opened up my office mail to find a link to a news article that includes this quote: "One lesson parents need to learn is that children are children no matter what their gender is. They have similar needs that need to be attended to whether the child expresses or demands it or not." http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/HEALTH/702270329/1089/LIV

I haven't read anything about gender issues in ages and now twice in a day? Interesting.

Posted by: susan at March 1, 2007 10:07 AM

Twice in one day? I think your sudden exposure is a direct result of your your social gender assignment as a child.

Posted by: Brian at March 2, 2007 9:50 AM

That's right! Because girls are attentive and boys are...dumb.

Posted by: Jen Rodis at March 2, 2007 9:58 AM