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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Call for help

37 replies

gendercriticalstudent · 20/02/2019 10:28

I really need the help of the smartest women I know, all of you on this board. Star

I’m about to embark on a 3000 word research project in preparation for my dissertation next year. The research project should link.

I was considering doing my project on- Has there been a rise in transgender children in Uk schools? ..with a view to perhaps focussing on equality teaching and the removal of gender restrictions in classrooms for my dissertation.
I am finding it very difficult to find good research for my project. My project should critically evaluate the research of others and their findings.

Any ideas, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated 🙌

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NeurotrashWarrior · 23/02/2019 09:13

And watch the bbc stuff I posted upline in relation to this.,

NeurotrashWarrior · 23/02/2019 09:13

Re books, very good one in schools. I teach in an sen school, mainly asd pupils. We did have a boy come from mainstream who was a great reader but point blank refused to read a reading book on Cinderella as it was 'for girls.' Granted it was a deathly dull, long traditional tale, and his autism was driving the rigidity around it, but clearly this was something quite deep in him. He read it in the end after a few pep talks but the rigidity really struck me as I've never had a child refuse to read a reading book.

My own son is in ks1 and they've started bringing library books home (school library); they're all dungeons and dragons, pictures of dragons and fighting and we can't read them to him as they're far to scary for him. I find it odd as when at the library he's more into much less stereotyped stuff. So wondering if they're choosing them in friendship groups and if there's any influences there; ninjago is definitely a factor. I loved dragons too so I'm not hugely bothered but find it interesting.

FeedMeBooks · 23/02/2019 07:43

Raises question about rogd. journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0202330

NeurotrashWarrior · 23/02/2019 07:11

Good advice above.

I'll pm you today about some other similar avenues that might be of interest.

sashh · 23/02/2019 06:39

For early childhood studies I'd stick to small children. Am I right in thinking that you are looking at children up to about age 7?

Personally I would look at children's books and have a look how often there is a male and how often there is a female and look at what they are doing.

Maybe pick a reading scheme used in reception and compare with 'Janet and John' or another older reading scheme. Are gender stereotypes enforced? How do they compare?

I think it is useful to frame your research as a question, so if you were to look at reading books something like, " from 1960 to 2019, how is gender portrayed in early years reading schemes used now and in the past?"

Whatever you decide, once you have your question do a literature review. This should mainly be from journals but you could have some fun with mumsnet - have a look at the small feminist acts thread. Don't quote it too much, maybe just one reference to it and criticise who the people posting on here are.

You can then look at the books themselves. Decide exactly what you are looking for and create table or spreadsheet so if you want incidences of gender stereotypes being reinforced have a column for that.

Once you have your table you can analyse it.

Skyzalimit · 22/02/2019 15:59

Instead of deciding what the answer is, read the research and then decide.

All research is biased, but peer reviewed research will present a range of useful data- you don't have to accept the writer's analysis.

Start with a library search for articles in your area of interest.

FYI you won't get marks for referencing Transgender Trend

gendercriticalstudent · 22/02/2019 13:10

Thank you neuro I’ll get on those immediately.

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NeurotrashWarrior · 22/02/2019 12:06

Lots of links to follow there.

NeurotrashWarrior · 22/02/2019 12:04

parentingsciencegang.org.uk/news/the-story-so-far-ltbt-psg/

NeurotrashWarrior · 22/02/2019 12:01

A recent experiment was reading the same books nightly, books chosen to either emphasise stereotypes or challenge , with questionnaires done before and after for example. I don't think the results have been collated yet.

NeurotrashWarrior · 22/02/2019 11:59

parentingsciencegang.org.uk/web-chats/how-different-are-womens-and-mens-brains/

This group of parents are undergoing lots of research experiments, a few of which are linked to gender and toys, books etc.

There's a Facebook group you can join to take part or look at how they've approached the research. They also do lots of q and a with various researchers too.

There might be something in there that fits what you're looking for or adds to your ideas.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 22/02/2019 09:28

Marianthi Kourti's research seemed interesting to me.
The comments of women she spoke to - autistic women - suggested that a feminine gender identity was not a foregone conclusion for women especially autistic women. This could be linked to rogd

gendercriticalstudent · 22/02/2019 09:04

My degree is early childhood education and yy my lecturer does need support, it is indeed ridiculous.
I don’t actually have a week to do the research...I need to have a clear plan within the week so I can begin the research.

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SuperLoudPoppingAction · 22/02/2019 08:37

And your lecturer needs some support to upload the lectures - that's ridiculous

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 22/02/2019 08:36

I was going to ask that - what do you study?

For undergrad essays it's probably better to jump through the hoops so you can have a bit more fun further on.
A week isn't long enough to do independent research anyway.

But if I know what you study I could maybe help.

I wanted to do something similar within sociology but it was tricky.

sashh · 22/02/2019 08:33

What is your actual degree OP? I'm guessing it is a social science or teaching, but you may get more specific advice if we know what it is. Obviously that is your choice as it may be outing.

Horsewithnom · 21/02/2019 09:15

Perhaps the 41% suicide figure would be worth investigating?

gendercriticalstudent · 21/02/2019 09:05

Interesting candid.
I’m currently reading up on research disciplines etc in preparation so that when I finally formulate a focus i’ll be ready.

I’ve got one week Confused and I need to start researching so I’m quite stressed that I haven’t been able to pinpoint what I want to do.

My tutors aren’t very good tbh. We get one taught day per week. No opportunity for a discussion with her for advice and she doesn’t answer emails. The lectures are supposed to be uploaded online but she can’t figure out how to do it.
I’m on my own really, which is why I’m asking you all here for help.

It’s helping - thank you 🙏

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CandidPeel · 21/02/2019 07:41

How about do a comparison of statutory measures, policy and voluntary advice on accomodating trans students in the US and UK? There would be lots to draw on if you write about laws, policy and advice - - more than if you directly try to write about the numbers in practice as the main focus.

gendercriticalstudent · 21/02/2019 06:23

Thank you sash you’ve given me a lot to think about.

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sashh · 21/02/2019 05:23

That’s really interesting sash , would you advise me to think about that for the research project or my dissertation?

Not necessarily either, it's just a place to start with lots of branches off, one of which may appeal to you but all of which you would need as background reading. You could then go on to look at possible impacts of future laws and incorporate research into trans students (and teachers).

Debbie Hayton - twitter link below - has done some writing on this, she doesn't think trans women are women but she is a trans woman and a teacher.

twitter.com/DebbieHayton

NeurotrashWarrior · 20/02/2019 20:46

Interesting article shared by let toys be toys just now.

www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/12/toys-are-more-divided-by-gender-now-than-they-were-50-years-ago/383556/

gendercriticalstudent · 20/02/2019 17:47

Thanks changing I’m a mature student.
My 15 yr old is like your dd! When manfriday first began and I began to leaflet in M&S changing rooms my dd leaflets her school and enjoyed a very robust debate with her philosophy tutor who awarded her for her critical thinking.
Let’s hope our dds will have an easier time asserting their voice 💪

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changingeverything2019 · 20/02/2019 17:25

Nothing of any value to add but just wishing you good luck.
I think my daughter might be like you in a few years.

My GC DD wants to do presentation about Self ID. Help! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3492625-my-gc-dd-wants-to-do-presentation-about-self-id-help#84509080