The Pencil Inc.: What's In a Name?

"Cinnamon rolls not gender roles."

That was, in my opinion, the best poster I have ever seen put up onto our school walls. Being female (hi), I experience relatively more of the struggle that is gender roles in my every day life. It surprises me that people don't recognize the existence of these roles. Subsequently, if we don't recognize this reality, how are we going to change it? How are we going to move forward as a society and as a culture?

gender role

NOUN

The role or behaviour learned by a person as appropriate to their gender, determined by the prevailing cultural norms

Let's talk about the history of gender roles and sex-based discrimination.

In the 1920's, the "role" of men were the main and only source of family income. The women who did work were seen as odd and treated unfairly to their male counterparts. Henry Ford, founder of the Ford motor company, once said, "I pay our women well so they can dress attractively and get married."

Until the 1970's women were not seen as fit to be involved in politics. Their "role" was to be the caregiver and take care of the home. One important figure worth noting is Nellie McClung, a women's rights activist and a leader of the suffrage movement. In attempt to abolish her work, Manitoba Premier Sir Rodmond Roblin said at a 1914 political event, "Placing women on ... political equality with men would cause domestic strife. The majority of women are emotional, and if given the franchise would be a menace rather than an aid."

In present day, this means that my male friend is not allowed to wear a kilt to his school. Anyone who would want to would, "break the code of conduct," as it is, "against the uniform policy." There is a gender role in where men or young boys are shamed for wearing dresses or kilts. To label a piece of cloth is preposterous, and to limit individual expression is even more ridiculous.

Just because of the name I am given, female, does not mean I need to conform to societal expectations of being female. Just because someone is given the name and label male, does not mean he needs to conform to societal expectations of being male. Just because someone identifies with the name trans does not mean that they need to conform to societal expectations of being trans.

For, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet," Romeo and Juliet (II,ii,1-2).