Read and reflect upon the following readings (chapters 1 and 29) in the book called Assigned: Life With Gender edited by Lisa Wade with Douglas Hartmann
and Christopher Uggen.
Chapter 1: “On Queering Parenting and Gender-Neutrality” – Compton and Bridges
Chapter 29: “Children’s Gender Self-Determination: A Practical Guide” – Jane Ward
Write a short essay, at least 900 words, summarizing and reflecting on the authors’ arguments.
Part 1: Write one paragraph summarizing the authors’ arguments. You might consider these questions listed below:
What does it mean that parenting is gendered? How is parenting paraphernalia gendered? How can parents resist this gendering?
How is gender used to market products to parents and kids?
What suggestions do the authors give for raising children to choose their own gender identity and gender expression?
How can parents create space for kids to choose their gender and their gendered presentation and interests?
Part 2: Write 2 paragraphs reflecting on their main ideas. You might consider these questions:
What are the implications of queering parenting and allowing children to determine their own gender?
What are some of the benefits of queering parenting and allowing children to determine their own gender?
What are some of the limits of queering parenting and allowing children to determine their own gender?
What possible problems or issues may parents or children face if they break established gender norms?
Structure and Format
Please structure this assignment as an essay, with a short introduction, an arguable thesis statement, and paragraphs that begin (or end) with a clear topic
sentence claim.
Be sure to include quotes from the book and evidence from your own experience (if relevant) to support your argument.
You do not need a title nor a title page
Please double space the text (except for your name and the date, that should be single spaced)
Use 1” margins
Please cite the readings using parenthetical references. If you mention her name in the text, put the year published after her name and the page # at the end.
Otherwise, put all of the information in the parenthesis. For example:
According to Jane Ward (2016), “ . . . .” (p. #).
OR
“. . . . .” (Compton & Bridges 2019: #).
Please underline your thesis statement.
Your main source of information will be the book.