by Donald Herman

Created on: January 09, 2010

Bias is essentially defined as an unfair or unrealistic, preference for, or disdain of, a stimulus. That stimulus could be an object, an individual or an idea but, the essential element in any bias is, that it is not grounded in reality. Gender bias is an unrealistic preference for the stereotyping of a male, or female, into defined societal roles. The issue is whether or not a child can be raised to disregard the bias or to become immersed into the societal constraints of gender.

One cannot define gender within the terms of one single culture however, since cultural adaptations to one’s assumption of traditional roles, takes different paths. Margaret Mead’s studies in New Guinea, among the Arapesh; Mundugumor; and Tchambuli are indicative of how differing social forces impact the personalities and temperment of the two genders. In contrast to the western, social concept, where the male is dominant; among the Tchambuli, it is the female who wields the power. It is further demonstrated that differing cultures contrast within the issues of homosexuality and transgender identification, indicating that cultural effects might foster both gender bias and gender identification.

Gender bias should therefore be viewed as a cultural phenomenon and not an innate characteristic of individuals. The converse is also true in that raising a child without bias is also a cultural cause and effect relationship. Certainly, in this electronic age a child receives both subtle cues and blatant coercion as to gender appropriate behavior. The sexual portrayal of both men and women, often to sell a given product to one or the other gender, is rampant among our culture. This creates an identity crisis very early in the developmental process and quickly defines and then reinforces gender parameters. Peer issues of gender appropriate behaviors exert tremendous pressure for conformity. How then does one develop a gender neutral approach when the entire societal structure is gender segmented?

The need to develop a child, without bias, is critical to societal development in that, both men and women must be able to develop skills that are unfettered by societal constraints. This development must begin in the home where children are allowed to pursue their individual needs and desires without labels of “sissie” or “tomboy.” Where individuality is stressed, the child develops the personalized attributes that will allow cultural assimilation without societal regulation. A pink dress does not make a girl any more than a toy truck will create a boy. Children develop through two primary forces; modeling behavior and physical capacities. The modeling behavior perceived by the child however, might not be the societal norm and thus the child becomes unique. Nerd for example; is now a positive word as opposed to a generation ago when only the football player could expect an elevated niche.

By allowing the child to choose, and then supporting those choices, a society will develop that is vastly different than current, western culture. As Mead discovered in observing the Arapesh , loving attentive parents will develop co-operative relationships among adult offspring. It also follows that; parents who support co-operative roles, and gender neutral behaviors among their children, will foster adults who are blind to gender bias.

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