Beyond Pink and Blue

Transgender

Transgender Athletes Face their Biggest Bully: Politicians

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on March 6, 2022

While Iowa and other states pass laws banning trans youth from school sports teams that match their gender identity, the youth suffer.

While Iowa and other states pass laws banning trans youth from school sports teams that match their gender identity, the youth suffer.

Girls are the ideal students — both smart and obedient. But stereotypes that develop by the first grade that girls aren't brilliant scientists lead to lifelong inequalities.

Adolescence

Why the Women in the Weinstein Case Are So Believable

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on February 13, 2020

By middle school, girls are sexually harassed by boys, yet taught to smile and pretend it doesn't bother them rather than confront or report it. Just as in the Weinstein case.

By middle school, girls are sexually harassed by boys, yet taught to smile and pretend it doesn't bother them rather than confront or report it. Just as in the Weinstein case.

Child Development

Kids, Politics, and the Gender Divide

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on September 25, 2019

Children are interested in elections, and have strong opinions about candidates, but underestimate gender biases in politics and government.

Children are interested in elections, and have strong opinions about candidates, but underestimate gender biases in politics and government.

Gender

Representation Matters

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on April 1, 2019

Regardless of gender identity, kids and teens want, and need, to be seen and affirmed. Representation and actual knowledge matters. This shouldn't be confined to one day a year.  

Regardless of gender identity, kids and teens want, and need, to be seen and affirmed. Representation and actual knowledge matters. This shouldn't be confined to one day a year.  

Child Development

Instead of a Tie, Get Dad Some Parental Leave Policies

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on June 15, 2018

Dads are important. You know it when you buy that Fathers' Day card. Unfortunately, U.S. parental leave policies do not reflect that.

Dads are important. You know it when you buy that Fathers' Day card. Unfortunately, U.S. parental leave policies do not reflect that.

Transgender

Trans Teens Face Discrimination at School—and the DMV

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on February 8, 2018

This week, the ACLU filed a lawsuit in Alabama for driver’s licenses to reflect individuals' gender identity. Fighting this battle is only one of many for transgender youth.

This week, the ACLU filed a lawsuit in Alabama for driver’s licenses to reflect individuals' gender identity. Fighting this battle is only one of many for transgender youth.

Gender

The Majority of Girls Face Sexual Harassment with No Hashtag

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on October 30, 2017

Millions of women have now acknowledged that they have been sexually harassed. Yet recently, with no public outrage, major protections against harassment of girls were removed.

Millions of women have now acknowledged that they have been sexually harassed. Yet recently, with no public outrage, major protections against harassment of girls were removed.

Politics

Why Title IX Matters, Regardless of Politics

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on April 9, 2017

Sexual harassment and assault are common, harm youth in schools, and should be explicitly prohibited by Title IX – regardless of your politics.

Sexual harassment and assault are common, harm youth in schools, and should be explicitly prohibited by Title IX – regardless of your politics.

Transgender

How to Talk to Kids About What it Means to be Transgender

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on May 14, 2016

With all of this media attention, kids who are not transgendered may have questions about what this issue is really about. This is a teachable moment.

With all of this media attention, kids who are not transgendered may have questions about what this issue is really about. This is a teachable moment.

Gender

Target Is Right on Target About the Use of Gender Labels

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on August 14, 2015

Target's decision to remove gender labels from toy aisles is important.

Target's decision to remove gender labels from toy aisles is important.

Bullying

Bullying Hurts Everyone, Even Bystanders

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on April 27, 2015

A vast majority of teens are called homophobic names in middle and high school. This name-calling is not the result of kids being kids. It is bullying, and it harms everyone.

A vast majority of teens are called homophobic names in middle and high school. This name-calling is not the result of kids being kids. It is bullying, and it harms everyone.

Gender

Girl Power is the New "It" Movement

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on January 1, 2015

Girl Power is the new “It” movement, and it is, without doubt, a much-needed movement.
Yet, we are in need of a movement for boys. We need a movement that makes it trendy for boys to be nurturing, emotionally expressive, verbal, and non-violent. We need a cultural movement that treats nurturance and cooperation as skills that are just as important as engineering.

Girl Power is the new “It” movement, and it is, without doubt, a much-needed movement.
Yet, we are in need of a movement for boys. We need a movement that makes it trendy for boys to be nurturing, emotionally expressive, verbal, and non-violent. We need a cultural movement that treats nurturance and cooperation as skills that are just as important as engineering.

Shyness

Shyness Doesn’t Make a Boy Any Less of a Man

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on September 3, 2014

Parents, teachers, and peers discourage and punish boys for displaying signs of shyness. We see that shy boys are consistently encouraged to be assertive and bold, whereas shy girls are allowed to be who they naturally are. This pressure to be assertive can be extremely stressful for boys, leading to physiological and behavioral problems later on.

Parents, teachers, and peers discourage and punish boys for displaying signs of shyness. We see that shy boys are consistently encouraged to be assertive and bold, whereas shy girls are allowed to be who they naturally are. This pressure to be assertive can be extremely stressful for boys, leading to physiological and behavioral problems later on.

Gender

#YesAllGirls too

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on May 28, 2014

The recent discussion on Twitter (#YesAllWomen) of the common experiences all women face regarding sexual harassment is important. It is also important to keep in mind that this harassment doesn't just start in adulthood. Girls experience sexual harassment every day in middle school and high school.

The recent discussion on Twitter (#YesAllWomen) of the common experiences all women face regarding sexual harassment is important. It is also important to keep in mind that this harassment doesn't just start in adulthood. Girls experience sexual harassment every day in middle school and high school.

Gender

Children's Ideas About Gender Differences May Surprise You

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on April 16, 2014

Many parents assume that their children don't hold gender stereotypes, often because they work hard to raise egalitarian children. Yet, most children endorse strong stereotypes about boys and girls. They assume boys and girls are different in deep, fundamental ways. They assume that culturally specific traits, like wanting to sew or be a firefighter, are innate.

Many parents assume that their children don't hold gender stereotypes, often because they work hard to raise egalitarian children. Yet, most children endorse strong stereotypes about boys and girls. They assume boys and girls are different in deep, fundamental ways. They assume that culturally specific traits, like wanting to sew or be a firefighter, are innate.

Gender

Why "Using" Gender Can Make a Big Difference Part 2

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on March 4, 2014

Most people assume that labeling and sorting by gender doesn’t really matter, that it doesn’t lead to big differences between boys and girls, as long as you treat children equally. But it seems that children pay attention to the groups that adults treat as important. When adults constantly point out gender, kids take note.

Most people assume that labeling and sorting by gender doesn’t really matter, that it doesn’t lead to big differences between boys and girls, as long as you treat children equally. But it seems that children pay attention to the groups that adults treat as important. When adults constantly point out gender, kids take note.

Gender

The Way We Talk About Gender Can Make a Big Difference

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on March 2, 2014

After four weeks of simply hearing their gender labeled and being sorted into girl and boy groups, elementary school children, both boys and girls, were more likely to say that only men can be doctors or the president of the United States and only women can be nurturing and kind.

After four weeks of simply hearing their gender labeled and being sorted into girl and boy groups, elementary school children, both boys and girls, were more likely to say that only men can be doctors or the president of the United States and only women can be nurturing and kind.

Sport and Competition

The Body "Issue"

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on January 28, 2014

Although we have more gender equality than ever in sports, female athletes are almost always sexualized in the media. Girls are playing sports in increasing numbers, but they are not seeing that athleticism represented in the media. Seeing only skiers in bikinis directly counteracts all the great benefits that sports participation brings.

Although we have more gender equality than ever in sports, female athletes are almost always sexualized in the media. Girls are playing sports in increasing numbers, but they are not seeing that athleticism represented in the media. Seeing only skiers in bikinis directly counteracts all the great benefits that sports participation brings.

Child Development

Give Gifts that Teach About Giving

Christia S. Brown Ph.D. on December 22, 2013

Children want to help others. They simply need the adults in their lives to help facilitate this. This season, think about ways you can teach your children about giving. Make it concrete and have your children make the decisions about who to give to and what to give. This helps teach empathy and compassion.

Children want to help others. They simply need the adults in their lives to help facilitate this. This season, think about ways you can teach your children about giving. Make it concrete and have your children make the decisions about who to give to and what to give. This helps teach empathy and compassion.