If you've followed us this far, then congratulations! We know some of this stuff is dense and a little mind-blowing--especially if you've never thought about gender issues before.
So why is it important to learn about gender? Well, for one, when we place people into very strict categories--when we choose to label certain people--it makes it hard for people to truly be themselves.
And by placing people into categories of "this" vs. "that," it doesn't leave much wiggle room. And when a lot of people do not fit into either or more than one...that can be lonely. It can be isolating. And, as in the Brandon Teena case, it can result in harmful incidents.
It's important to question gender roles and stereotypes because there are so many things we do just because it's expected. And who wants to do that? Though we know, it can be intimidating to challenge stereotypes that have been around for centuries.
So, now that you've gotten the gender rundown, think about the ways gender affects your life. Is there anything holding you back? Do you notice people being pressured into certain gender roles or being made fun of for expressing non-traditional gender roles? There's a lot to think about...once you start to look around.
