Want Gender Equality? Let's Get Creative | Kyl Myers | TEDxSaltLakeCity

After a decade of studying gender inequality, sociologist, Kyl Myers, decided childhood gender socialization needed a creative overhaul. Kyl shares her idea that if we want adulthood gender equality, we have to change the way we treat kids.
Kyl Myers is a sociologist who specializes in gender and sexual & reproductive health. She’s been studying gender inequalities day in and day out for some time the last decade, and has decided to blaze a trail for future generations that will fascinate you. She’s no parenting expert, but she loves helping parents understand gender through a sociological perspective.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@hozzydaemon2021]

When I was four I wanted to be an archaeologist, welder or fighter pilot. I’m a 39 year old female welder and steelworker today.

[@timnelson3431]

I'll say this too. I think it's great to embrace your children and anything they choose to become, but I wouldn't shield them from the realities of the world. You can tell a child anything and they will believe it. You can paint a pretty picture of the world for them. When they grow up and the world punches them in the face, it will hurt a lot more, and the ability to handle the situation will diminish. I say when, because this is not and cannot be reality. Genders are physically different, so rather than reject those traits, embrace them as both genders inherently have advantages and disadvantages.

[@uncleskipsprairiejustice9367]

Babies aren't born "knowing who they are". They learn it. Making them guess who they are is just cruel.

[@james4wd236]

How about we quit turning everyone into a victim of their situation.

[@brainfreeze7979]

I will enjoy a TEDx talk from Zoomer in 20 years.

[@ForMistressMagick]

Let kids choose their own toys and clothes - and even their own pronouns. But trust them to do so. If you wind up with a very confused child with multiple personality disorder after using plural pronouns for years don't blame anyone but yourself.

[@user-ds6bw2my7y]

Fun fact: there is no "he" or "she" in Turkish

[@arleneheaton6828]

if she truly believes this gender equality then does zoomer call her by her name and not mom. mom and dad are gender assigned names

[@linguaphile9415]

"Gender inequalities can not exist if they are not perpetuated." This presupposes that cognitive and behavioral differences between sexes are purely socially conditioned, i. e. constructed. This is factually false as any serious scientist in a relevant field (biology or psychology) can demonstrate. It is true that there are aspects of male and female stereotypes that are constructed, but what she is trying to hammer home here is that millions of years of evolution have no effect on behavior and don't matter at all. I'm also wondering how she is going to isolate her child from its peer group who may and will definitely also have an effect on its behavioral development as well as its preferences and interests.

[@mrzli44]

Have two boys and than a girl. We have tried not to treat them any different and I expected girl to take trades of broders. But NO girl is girl. Gander is not just social construction!!! But YES give them fare opportunities. It DON'T mean SAME but what they need to express their potential AND fare rewards.

[@portiawright2767]

i've studied sociology and this video is wonderful

[@Londronable]

This is what usually happens with me.

[@sabiyanica807]

I'm a 25 girl, unmarried, and was very happy about this until I realized the down side. It's like living far from

[@GordieGii]

STEM employers are twice as likely to hire a female as a male with the same qualifications, and pay her two to three percent more if she is single and doesn't have children.

[@the-vuk]

So .. according to her, de-gendering the child is the solution, and not trying to convince those idiots who say "it's not for boy/girl" NOT to say those things...

[@sabrinastyles1460]

Finally, someone who gets what I wish everyone would understand. You are a great inspiration.

[@ethandelaune9704]

4:12

[@seansquire6020]

Poor Zooma is going to grow up to realise that world is not how he imagined it to be. This theory can only possibly work if everyone adopted the same practice at once and that is impossible. Odds are, even if we did, things would gradually turn out how they are now.

[@mariandrearaujo]

The comments on this makes so obvious how gender education and equality are so needed in the world.

[@brindlebot]

That's weird - in the engineering company I know the women earn 100% the same. But they have an engineering degree.