Sweden's Gender Neutrality Stupidity

Recently, Sweden added the word "hen" to the country's National Encyclopedia. The word is a gender-neutral pronoun. Also, teachers in preschools stopped referring to students as "boys" or "girls." One school even went so far as to stop allowing free playtime because "stereotypical" gender patterns are born and cemented. In free play there is hierarchy, exclusion, and the seed to bullying." 

What is the reason behind forcing gender neutrality on young children? The said purpose is to create a society that focuses on "hens" instead of allowing children to grow up being limited by their gender stereotypes.

Sweden is one of the most Liberal countries in the world, so this addition to their Encyclopedia does not surprise me. The intentions of the Swedes are most likely good, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The societal repercussions of this move are far worse than any benefits and I'll explain why.

It is my belief that the Swedes had several motives in mind when they created the gender-neutral word hen. The motives probably are to 1. make boys and girls equal, 2. change the social norms or completely destroy them, 3. make sure there is less stress for children growing up, and 4. make it easier for gay children (if gay children exist). 

Here are the problems with the Swedes Liberal plan:

1. Young boys and girls cannot be equal, it is a biological impossibility. This is an issue that Liberals can't seem to come to terms with. They "wish" that everyone could be equal when it is just not possible! They confuse equal rights, with being equal in terms of ability, skills, strengths, amount of money and things you have, etc. etc. They are very different things. When Thomas Jefferson stated that "all men are created equal" he is saying everyone should have equal rights. There are things men generally do better than women and women generally do better than men and Liberals have to come to grips with that instead trying to change society when they can't because they do harm. Children should begin to understand their gender differences at a young age because they will be able to comprehend and cope with things easier when they are adults.

2.  The Swedes want to change social norms or completely destroy them. They do not want children to be "limited" by their gender stereotypes or to be locked into gender stereotypes. I find it interesting that they think social norms are limiting as it's not necessarily true. Stereotypes usually exist for a reason, because they are "generally" true for a certain group. Understanding those stereotypes, but realizing that you don't have to be limited by them or to them, is more productive than confusing children with telling them they are all equal. Furthermore, from my perspective, I would want there to be a clear difference in men and women. It seems odd, and not just because it is different, to make up a gender-neutral word in order to not make a distinction between men and women. Differences should be understood and accepted.

3. There is a real problem with the reasoning that since "In free play there is hierarchy, exclusion, and the seed to bullying" gender neutrality is a necessity. This is how their idea is particularly harmful. Young children SHOULD be exposed to hierarchy, exclusion, and bullying. If not exposed to some adversity at a young age they will not handle their hardships properly when adults. The real world is not kind and not knowing how to deal with the difficulties that will arise is a problem. The sense that you are entitled to a life where you have no problems could make you bitter, lazy, and mad when you do ultimately face difficulties. I would not be able to get through the tough times I have faced in my life without having experienced some adversity when young.

4. Another possible reason for the creation of the word hen is to make it easier for gay children. Of course, there is no scientific evidence that someone is born gay (despite Lady Gaga's opinion), but it is a possibility. Usage of the word hen may help ease stress for gay children, but again this will give them a perception that they won't face prejudice regarding their sexually orientation when they are older. That perception is most likely wrong as there are many people who are prejudice against gays. If they cannot cope with this intolerance, since they didn't figure out how to when they were young, they will most likely become hateful people instead of secure people.

Why would the Swedes stop at gender neutral words? How about ethnicity neutral or "skin color" neutral words? Neutral words for ethnicity and skin color would be the same as gender in terms of those things are merely the consequence of being born. You can't change the parents that gave you life, so to try to force people to be neutral regarding something that is uncontrollable and impossible to change is absurd. It just welcomes confusion for the children. Differences should be embraced, so that people can be accepted while being different instead of forcing everyone in society to be equal when in reality they are not. ... And I thought Liberals were for diversity!