About that list from "Fourth grade boys"

[GreatGazoo]

It was done at some kind of seminar done in public schools in Toronto in 2012:

We started out the day talking about how there are rules for people deemed boys and girls to behave and act a certain way. These ideas are enforced in spaces like our commercials and what they try to make you buy. We looked at this by checking out the Gender Remixer website. The site allows you to mash up the audio from commercials geared to boys and the video from commercials geared towards girls, and vice versa.
...
Next was an interactive portion I present in every talk or session I run with people of any age and walk of life is “What do you like/dislike about identifying as a certain gender” or “What do you like/dislike when people assign a gender to you based on your appearance?” When I ask a younger group the question is usually “what do you like or dislike about being a boy or a girl” (We later discuss how this really isn’t a binary discussion, but your experiences in life are based on how many people will interact with you as either a boy or girl)
...
It was the one at the top of the list : ‘not being able to be a mother’. I asked “who said this answer?” Usually one of the standard responses from boys of all ages during this exercise is how they like that ‘we don’t have to give birth’ (usually followed by a lot of head-nodding). A little fellow put his hand up, I asked him if he’d explain what he meant. This tiny thoughtful Grade 4 boy stood up to talk, the same boy who said he wanted to ‘be a politician when I grow up’....

http://higherunlearning.com/2012/05/02/understanding-boys-understanding-girls/

One of their tools is this gendered advertising remixer which is done in Flash and kind of fun. It lets you put audio from girls ads with video from boys or vice versa:

http://www.genderremixer.com/html5/#

[riderinthestorm]

1. This clarifies things a LOT. Thanks for adding it

The leader of the session asked the kids what they liked or disliked.

The BOY chose to make his own list of dislikes only, for whatever reason.

Interesting.

Welcome to DU!

[GreatGazoo]

4. Thanks. The caption on the pic of the list says

Here is the list from one breakout group of those Grade 4-6 boys:

So this was a group's answers as written by one, spelling-challenged, boy.

[Mike Nelson]

2. How cool...

...fourth graders talking about gender roles in a mixed setting with guidance seems very free and uplifting, to me.

[FrodosPet]

3. Two things need to happen

1. People need to refrain from looking down on boys who do NOT have standard masculine behaviors, appearance, and interests,

and

2. People need to refrain from looking down on boys who DO have standard masculine behaviors, appearance, and interests.

I know some people who are seemingly on a relentless crusade to get their 7 year old son pacified and proper. Newsflash - the kid does not have ADHD, he is a 7 year old boy with 7 year old boy energy, spirit, imagination, and curiosity. He does not need to be drugged into zombiehood.

We need to accept kids for who they are, and to teach them to accept and appreciate themselves. Even if that means they are (*gasp!!!*) playing football or toy trucks or making a little noise.

[Mike Nelson]

5. Well stated!

At 7, it's normal to run, get dirty and make noise! More fun than the computer...