Is my child too young to learn about gender theory and the patriarchy?
Short answer: no
Longer answer: this story of how I was owned by a 6 yo. (thread)
Short answer: no
Longer answer: this story of how I was owned by a 6 yo. (thread)
Upon learning from a science show that men are struck by lightening more than women my 6yo asked me why.
I’m one of those parents, so I asked her her theory first.
I’m one of those parents, so I asked her her theory first.
She replied: “I think men are told they have to be stronger so they probably go out into dangerous storms more but women stay inside in safety more.”
Me: “wow. That’s probably right. And much better than my theory”
Me: “wow. That’s probably right. And much better than my theory”
6yo: “what did you think?”
Me: “I thought it’s maybe because men are taller.”
6yo: “but mom, lots of women are taller than men.”
Me: “you’re right again. Sigh”
Me: “I thought it’s maybe because men are taller.”
6yo: “but mom, lots of women are taller than men.”
Me: “you’re right again. Sigh”
And I see now that the student has become the master.
Turns out when you’ve only learned about the patriarchy in your adulthood (even if you literally study & research & teach about it) you don’t apply a gender lens as well as someone who’s learned about it their whole life.
Turns out when you’ve only learned about the patriarchy in your adulthood (even if you literally study & research & teach about it) you don’t apply a gender lens as well as someone who’s learned about it their whole life.
So... teach your kids young. They’ll be gender analysis superheroes. And make you look bad in the best possible way.