Analysis Of X: A Fabulous Child's Story

Live Without a Gender Title “X: A Fabulous Child’s Story”, follows the life of an individual who has not been assigned to a specific gender. The child goes by the name of X, to therefore prevent any gender bias according to the name. Also, the child is given an array of toys; some of the toys more female based, and others more male based. The parents of child X were to follow a set of guidelines that had been set forth by those that created the experiment. The parents faced the most difficulty when it became time to send their child to a school system that encompasses gender roles. Even though the parents arranged for their child to use the principal’s bathroom, and line up according to the alphabet (rather than a separate line for girls and

Early on in the child’s life, it was given no sense of a particular identity. Therefore, it does not succumb to the patriarchy society with which we live in. According to Lois Gould, “So they bought plenty of sturdy blue pajamas in the Boys’ Department and cheerful flowered underwear in the Girls’ Department” (Gould 108). Without the powerful influence of gender specific clothes, the child was able to develop its own sense of identity. Its identity varied greatly with that of normal societal ideas of gender. X did not behave as a submissive female, nor did X conduct itself as a dominant male (Gould 106-112). I believe that this really depicts how crucial the upbringing of a child is. Child X was a blank slate, and therefore was able to cultivate a sense of identity that was not in accordance with what was to be expected. Parents and society have complete control over the personality of an individual. I think that it is incredibly disturbing that the entire life of a child is formulated by what parent’s purchase and teach their child. I believe that parent’s succumb to typical societal gender norms because if they do not, they are looked down upon and often ridiculed. Women, therefore, are taught early on what it means to be a girl. They are not born with the desires to complete the laundry, but however, are culturally influenced to do

At first, many of the other children found child X to be different from what was accepted within society because they were accustomed to following the proper lifestyle of a little girl or boy. According to Lois Gould, “After school, X wanted to play with the other children. ‘How about shooting some baskets in the gym?’ X asked the girls. But all they did was make faces and giggle behind X’s back” (Gould 109). When X approached the boys, they reacted in a similar manner as they also had been influenced by societal gender norms. According to Lois Gould, ‘“How about weaving some baskets in the arts and crafts room?’ X asked the boys. But they made faces and giggled behind X’s back, too” (Gould 109). These children knew how they were supposed to behave as they were socialized as young children (Gould 108-109). What does this say about society and women in particular? Women are expected to be submissive and act in accordance with the patriarchy society. When they do not, they are regarded as bitchy, or rude. Women are unable to fulfill their complete individuality because from the very beginning of their life they are forced to behave in a certain manner; whether they wish to do so or not. They are not able to branch out and try new things without facing ridicule. I do not believe it is fair to expect all women to fit one stereotype as no two people are the same. Similar to Child X, women and men should be able