News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: Shana A on April 12, 2010, 08:43:01 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Shiloh, Norrie, and Mii: The Limits of the Gender Binary
Post by: Shana A on April 12, 2010, 08:43:01 PM
Post by: Shana A on April 12, 2010, 08:43:01 PM
Shiloh, Norrie, and Mii: The Limits of the Gender Binary
by Katie Rodriguez
http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/29/shiloh-norrie-and-mii-the-limits-of-the-gender-binary/ (http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/29/shiloh-norrie-and-mii-the-limits-of-the-gender-binary/)
I agree with Deerwester, why shouldn't a child (or adult) be able to choose their clothes without regard for what they say about his/her sexuality and gender identity? Clothes are clothes. I'll go further and say that it's also a bit disconcerting to see a front page magazine article questioning the fashion choices of a three year old (whether they're 'good' or 'bad' choices). Have we really gotten to the point where we must constantly remark and critique the clothing of children who probably (thankfully) have little concept of gender?
There seem to be so many unnecessarily gendered situations and concepts around these days. Even the latest Wii gives you an option to choose male or female for your Mii. One might think this would be helpful for creating a Mii that really looks like its human counterpart, but it actually doesn't make a difference. One can create a 'female looking' Mii and then choose male as the gender. It almost seems absurd to force a gender binary (you have to choose a gender) when the choice doesn't even affect the character's abilities or features (besides of course making the female characters have a shirt that flips out on the bottom). Is it useful to have these distinctions even when it's clearly not beneficial or even serving a purpose at all?
by Katie Rodriguez
http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/29/shiloh-norrie-and-mii-the-limits-of-the-gender-binary/ (http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/29/shiloh-norrie-and-mii-the-limits-of-the-gender-binary/)
I agree with Deerwester, why shouldn't a child (or adult) be able to choose their clothes without regard for what they say about his/her sexuality and gender identity? Clothes are clothes. I'll go further and say that it's also a bit disconcerting to see a front page magazine article questioning the fashion choices of a three year old (whether they're 'good' or 'bad' choices). Have we really gotten to the point where we must constantly remark and critique the clothing of children who probably (thankfully) have little concept of gender?
There seem to be so many unnecessarily gendered situations and concepts around these days. Even the latest Wii gives you an option to choose male or female for your Mii. One might think this would be helpful for creating a Mii that really looks like its human counterpart, but it actually doesn't make a difference. One can create a 'female looking' Mii and then choose male as the gender. It almost seems absurd to force a gender binary (you have to choose a gender) when the choice doesn't even affect the character's abilities or features (besides of course making the female characters have a shirt that flips out on the bottom). Is it useful to have these distinctions even when it's clearly not beneficial or even serving a purpose at all?