One of the concepts I found interesting, as well as appalling, was the concept that gender, while clearly biological, is also defined by our society. Now, of course it is important to define gender, but we take it to far when we expect an individual to submit to society's idea of what that gender is. Baby boys are usually given blue socks and baby girls are usually given pink socks. Our society has become one that does not allow individuals to easily explore their own gender. Instead, we use their own anatomies against them, forcing them live their lives according to society's expectations. Many people do not feel that their biological gender is the gender that they wish to express and fueling the stereotypes of man and woman that we already have in place, only cements in them the idea that they have no choice but to live in a way that they may find uncomfortable. I think anyone who identifies as a transgender person is very brave to push the limits of our gender stereotypes. The tragedy is when transgender people are met with violence for expressing the gender they believe fits them the best. How long will it take for us to break down the gender stereotypes that have been dictating the lives of people across the country? Everyone has a right to identify with whatever gender they deem appropriate and they have a right to express themselves as such. When will our society allow everyone this gender freedom?
nunem004: April 2012 Archives
With more and more same-sex couples adopting and parenting children, this question is getting harder and harder to answer.
Many people are divided when it comes to their beliefs about gay adoption and parenting. Gay parenting may also be affected by the results the Marriage Amendment vote coming up in November, making this issue a hot topic in Minnesota right now.
Opponents of gay parenting argue that children raised by same-sex couples do not have role models of both sexes in their lives. While it is true that one sex will not be as prevalent in the home as the other, there is nothing to say that a child can't have a role model other than a mother or father. No matter who raises a child, there will always be members of both sexes in the child's life. It does not seem to matter whether or not a child is raised by a heterosexual couple or a homosexual couple. Research indicates that gay parents are as likely as straight parents to provide a stable and supportive growing environment for children. The sexual orientation of the parents does not matter nearly as much as their ability to be good parents. The things that really matter when raising a child are love and support, things people of any sexual orientation are able to give.
There are always more orphaned children in the world than parents willing to adopt them. Any loving couple who wish to adopt a child should not be barred from doing so. A family, whether with heterosexual or homosexual parents, is better than the foster-care system.
