Should parents adhere to gender norms?

TERMS


Biological sex -- based on chromosomes, hormones, etc. (How clear and binary?)
Gender identity -- the sense of being male or female - when in conflict with biological sex, person is gender non-conforming or transgender (Does it come from biology or elsewhere?)
Gender roles -- norms in a society (Are they based on biology?  Socially constructed?)
Sexual orientation -- gay, lesbian, bisexual, other - relative to biological sex/gender identity, is person attracted to members of same or different sex?

ADHERING TO GENDER ROLES

1. teaching children their biological sex-linked gender role (Should we do this?)
2. parental role playing--"mother" vs. "father" (Should there be a division of labor?)

FAUSTO-STERLING (biologist at Brown University) -- chapters from Sex/Gender -- a few of her main points:

1. Biological sex differences (due to chromosomes, hormones, etc.) beyond reproductive ones are very small 
2. Biological sex is not binary (i.e. around 2% are inter-sex to some degree)
3. Cognitive differences are small, abilities mostly overlapping (see Janet Hyde's chart on p. 102 and also her presentation here) -- very different from sexual dimorphism in some animals
4. Differences develop through constant interplay between biology and culture (e.g. girls' passion for pink)
5. "Gender fortification" starts at birth and is relentless -- in home and beyond

Kicked out of elementary school for gender misbehavior--

INTERVIEW WITH FAUSTO-STERLING (2009) -- we'll watch part 1, 2, & 3 up to 3:00.