Assignments, Assumptions, Expectations, and Guesses....oh my!
Narratives about gender that say an adult or doctor made a guess about a baby’s gender based on their body is not a true statement. In our current culture gender assignments/expectations are attached to sex assignments. These are not guesses or assumptions.
Why is this important to understand?
From a nature-based, holistic, and decolonized perspective, having accurate context of systemic oppression is key. In an equitable world we wouldn’t be doing ANY of these things above.
BUT, if we don’t understand how labels at birth are currently determined and what they are based on - stereotypes, behavior requirements, and privilege - we do not have accurate context to understand why oppression is happening and continues to happen to anyone who does not conform.
Without context, all the responsibility for oppression then rests on an individual’s body instead of where it should be placed - on the system and its assignments.
Get the Coloring Page
How to Tell if it's a Guess, Assumption, Expectation, or Assignment about Someone's Gender
A coloring page of the flow chart above! Coloring is not just for kids and brings in the nonverbal, offering an opportunity for greater embodiment through holistic and alternative ways of understanding and knowing.
Gender Wheel 101 Workshop Series
Nurturing a Holistic, Nature-Based Perspective of Gender for Greater Embodiment and Peace
For parents, educators, therapists, community members, and anyone wanting to expand their understanding of gender in a facilitated format
Highlights why a fundamental shift in how we think and talk about gender is critical for us to move forward into a new world that supports, celebrates, and values everyone.