MS. MAG REPLY 2

When Ms. Met That Girl - By Letty Cottin Pogrebin 

This article is based on the start, finish and importance of the (what I would consider) "Free To Be, You and Me" empire. Letty Pogrebin with the help of others started the Free To Be as a way to show kids that gender does not matter. Her opinion that every child should have the freedom to play with whatever toys, sing whatever song, and be who ever they would like regardless of gender is something others should support. 

She started her "Free to Be.. You and Me" Empire first with tapes and songs, then a book version, and so on to become a most loved movie. Pogrebin's idea of freedom as a child grew and spread very quickly. Every child was loving and feeling great with this idea. It took off pressure to be something you are not, and that is something that children struggle with everyday while growing up.

Although this woman did something great for children and the idea of a no gender child development society is spectacular, you still see gender bias every where. As stated in her essay "When Ms. Met That Girl", Pogrebin says "Tell the sales clerk you are looking for a toy for a 9 year old and you wont be asked, 'Is the child interested in science? Art? Action? Fantasy? Construction?' You'll be asked, 'Boy or girl?'". 

This is all very true. Our society is so biased towards what gender associates with what item that it honestly shows poor parenting. A child should not grow up to know what is strictly a boys or girl, but should have the freedom to express themselves however they want. 

I know my mother let me and my brother play dress up. I would put him in tutu's and sparkles and he would laugh and dance and play. I also have seen my cousin grow up by a strict navy father, who told him he may never like the color pink, but only blue, because blue is for boys and pink is for girls. (SAYS WHO?) This child struggles with many anxieties and have much problem getting along with other children. I do think the gender bias has an effect on a child, and proof is stated right there.