I was reading a book on Autism by an American psychologist, Dr Devon Price who wants to be known as gender neutral. I think its linked to the idea that autistic children shouldnt be labelled into stereotypical autistic types! Which I did agree with, However the author was very anti towards JKR, which is when I stopped reading!
However it struck me that younger female generations are completely different to older female generations because, with much better contraception younger females have no danger any more of unwanted pregnancies, they can use implants or a wide range of contraception, that completely removes the need to worry about having a baby!
I grew up in the 60s and 70s, and contraception was easily available by then, but 'accidents' did happen to friends who forgot to take the pill or had a sickness bout, etc etc. So women did have to be aware at the back of our minds of avoiding getting pregnant. So for me being a woman was totally tied up with my basic biology. Now girls can get a single implant that lasts for years...without any worry about unwanted pregnancies at all . Having a baby for the large majority of girls and women in the UK today is a conscious choice, not a natural part of life.
So its much easier to define yourself as gender neutral, if there is absolutely no danger of getting pregnant, and doing historically female things like having a baby or being a mother! And a lot easier to ignore basic biology, if you never have to worry about it!
However it struck me that younger female generations are completely different to older female generations because, with much better contraception younger females have no danger any more of unwanted pregnancies, they can use implants or a wide range of contraception, that completely removes the need to worry about having a baby!
I grew up in the 60s and 70s, and contraception was easily available by then, but 'accidents' did happen to friends who forgot to take the pill or had a sickness bout, etc etc. So women did have to be aware at the back of our minds of avoiding getting pregnant. So for me being a woman was totally tied up with my basic biology. Now girls can get a single implant that lasts for years...without any worry about unwanted pregnancies at all . Having a baby for the large majority of girls and women in the UK today is a conscious choice, not a natural part of life.
So its much easier to define yourself as gender neutral, if there is absolutely no danger of getting pregnant, and doing historically female things like having a baby or being a mother! And a lot easier to ignore basic biology, if you never have to worry about it!