In My Head

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/29/iran.barbie.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Prosecutor General Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi is speaking out against Barbie and other Western cultural toys being imported in Iran. I love his explanation:

“Undoubtedly, the personality and identity of the new generation and our children, as a result of unrestricted importation of toys, has been put at risk and caused irreparable damages,” he said.

I agree. This sentence applies to all children, not just those who haven’t been exposed to this sort of indoctrination into American misogyny, but it is clear to me that these images of women are damaging to all of us.

I once heard a Muslim woman talking about oppression. She said that it is American women who are oppressed… disrespected and valued only for our bodies. This leads us to disrespect our bodies to make them fit into the societally defined “perfect woman.” We are so caught up in being trendy, or beautiful (as defined by others), or whatever, that very few American women ever even take the time to question their own femininity.

The Muslim woman said that in her country, women are treated like diamonds. I don’t know if I agree with her about that (but who am I to say?), but I think she has a point. At least there they are not told that they should defile, mutilate, starve, or otherwise change their bodies to fit in.

Resist the princesses – Los Angeles Times

Check out this article!  I have been researching the deep misogyny within Disney programming and films, and this article sums up a lot of problems with American children’s #1 source of socialization media.

If you haven’t ever noticed the gender discrimination and development of a weaker sex in Disney movies, listen up!  Western society has a tendency to place a heavy emphasis on biology, YET, there are VERY FEW biological differences AT BIRTH between a male and a female.

It is clear, in America at least, that there are obvious differences between men and women, however, I argue that this is a development of our socialization process, whereas children who are trained to be nurturing, pretty, needy, dependent, and stupid will end up that way, and children who are trained to be tough, independent, mentally sound and good at building and breaking things will likewise end up that way.

If our little girls didn’t watch Disney movies, and instead got toys that encouraged critical thinking and personal development over toys that encourage them to care for others and stay pretty, would there be such differences between men and women?

ALL research shows that masculinity and femininity are damaging to one’s psyche.  Androgynous people are mentally the healthiest people in our society… so why are they looked down upon?

What do you think?