Call for help

[gendercriticalstudent]

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

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 🙌

One of the problems you are going to have is that there has been no unbiased research. Any stats available will be one sided, as critical research has been stifled.

Transgender Trend will be the most unbiased resource.
www.transgendertrend.com

Gender restrictions have not been removed. On the contrary, trans people rely on social gender markers. This is having a negative impact on girls and young lesbians.

For example, mixed sex toilets are being illegally introduced in schools .
Mixed sex toilets do not remove gender restrictions for girls; they amplify them. Girls are avoiding drinking during the day to reduce the number of times they need to go to the toilet, and they are missing school because of period shaming.

There is a thread on the board about toilets in schools.

One of the problems you are going to have is that there has been no unbiased research. Any stats available will be one sided, as critical research has been stifled.

Funny userschmoozer should write that when I have just been reading about James Caspian. However, that could be part of the research project - a discussion about who funded the research and the backgrounds of those undertaking it.

Thanks for your replies.

user this is exactly the problem. There is no unbiased research with the exception of transgender trend and I can’t do s research project with only on resource!

Also nettie , I agree. I could evaluate other sources and critically analyse them as part of the project.

It may not be what you're looking for, for Cordelia Fine's book 'delusions of gender' links to lots of research showing that girls and boys are treated differently from the moment their sex is identified.

Thank you hawk

I’ll take a look at that. I’m very interested in sex and gender, the confusion for people around that and how it effects us within society.
I’m just very unclear on how to make a research question and then proceed to a dissertation around it.

I have spoken to my tutor about James Caspian and it is a concern that depending on how I state my intentions, I may not be supported by my university.

I would seriously think of going for a different topic and if I was your supervisor that is what I would be saying.

This is undergraduate research, your project should be almost exclusively secondary sources and as userschmoozer has said there isn't much research and what there is, well it is mainly an agender rather than research.

Maybe save this for your pHD.

A look at equality and diversity on mainstream schools over the past 40 years would give you much more reading, you could look at the impact (if any) of various acts of parliament from the sex discrimination act to the equality act and how these have changed schools.

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

Thank you all- you’re really helping me brainstorm and think outside my mindset

Place marking, also look at let clothes be clothes, let toys be toys campaigns.

And this bbc documentary, two parts.

My advice would be to carefully sift through what you want to do for an ma/phd and what you want to do for a dissertation. What might be useful in the dissertation to springboard any further practical research.

Also, not exactly what you're asking, but it's worth thinking about the cultural influences we get from all sides.

I personally find some of the cartoons aimed at girls difficult on Netflix for example. How are they feeding into subconscious ideals of femininity?

Also, art activist barbie:

twitter.com/barbiereports/status/1097549597583556608?s=21

I might pm you later as there's some specific stuff someone I know has been doing and it's crying out for proper research.

Gender stereotyping is having an impact on attainment in some areas.

You are all brilliant

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

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 💪

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/

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

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

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.

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 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 🙏

Perhaps the 41% suicide figure would be worth investigating?

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.

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.

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

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.

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