Is it time for a Feminist Manifesto for DU?

[ismnotwasm]

33. Most gendered behavior is socialized

Is a gentle, soft- hearted nurturing man less of a man?

It's bound in perception. Why we continue to need feminism is to fight sexism. If a women is a gentle women, soft-hearted nurturing-- etc she is no more or less a woman than one who is not. The problem appears in societal expectations of a gendered behavior.

For instance, I dislike the word feminine because it carries those expectations, pragmatically however, it does me little good to argue against it, except when it damages. Which it does regularly enough to keep me wary.

I actually think feminism encompasses humanism rather than the other way around, but that's just me.


Here's an interesting approach in toys from Sweden;

Swedish Toys"R"Us Christmas Catalog Challenges Gender Stereotypes
Christmastime is (almost) here -- and with it, Christmas catalogs. This year, a Swedish toy catalog is making headlines for using photographs that challenge traditional gender roles (in contrast to some images used by U.S. retailers).

The catalog in question was created by TOP-TOY, which runs nearly 50 Toys"R"Us retail stores in Northern Europe. It shows “gender neutral” photos, including images of a girl shooting a Nerf gun and a boy playing with a baby doll -- as well as pictures of boys and girls using a play kitchen, a mock changing table and a pink Barbie Dreamhouse.

In a statement on its website, TOP-TOY says: "This year’s Swedish Christmas catalogues are more gender neutral and reflect the values dominant at the Swedish market. Swedish customers appreciate this new approach."

“We want our catalogues to reflect the way that boys and girls play in real life, and not present a stereotype image of them. If both girls and boys in Sweden like to play with a toy kitchen, then we want to reflect this pattern," retail marketing director Thomas Meng said in a statement



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/swedish-toys-r-us-catalog-gender-stereotypes_n_2198045.html