Recently, I came across a Teen Vogue article focused on the opinions of Calvin Klein’s ck2 campaign models and their ideas on gender roles in today’s society. The models interviewed in the video posted with the article are dressed in “gender neutral” clothing. Think loose t-shirts, knit sweaters, and leggings that are popular among younger generations today.
Although this ad is new and exciting, the concepts do seem to bring a little concern. This is not to say that these models should not be turned away from being themselves, but the concept of gender fluidity and the idea of swaying from masculine to feminine within days of each other seems to be a little difficult for some people to understand or acknowledge. A Google search provides the following definition:
This rising reality tells us that someone who chooses to identify as this does not have a preference, which seems similar to the idea of "pansexuality" where relationships with members of any sex are valued.
It has now been studied, proven, learned, shared on college campuses, on the internet, and through scholarly work that sexuality is a sliding scale, meaning that merely one percent of the population is completely straight. This idea, although not completely accepted in today’s times, is beginning to be approached with more relaxed attitudes than ever before. It is wonderful that so many people are able explore and discover what type of relationship makes him or her happy. However, does this really apply to gender and it's solid biological anatomy?
Gender fluidity is not the same as transgender. Let’s remember that. Though, one could argue that both sexuality and transgender have left biology in the dust with the power of the brain, so why can’t gender, too?
Well, it seems that teaching gender and biological anatomy to children from an early age is something we cannot escape. I do not think that Barbie’s will stop widely directing it's advertisements toward young girls, and I do not think that Tonka Trucks will suddenly begin to gear its marketing to cater females. These actions would be unheard of from a marketing standpoint, as well as a traditional one, and I do not see CEO's of corporations like Mattel giving up their yachts to market toward gender fluidity. Harsh? Yes. Realistic? You bet.
Also, in a world where restrooms are based upon drawn figures with little skirts or pants, it seems a little ridiculous for a person to enter a male restroom one day and a female one the next. It is difficult enough for transgender people to have to make the decision to come out to the world and take the step to finally enter the bathroom that they believe they belong in, so I don’t see it as fair for teenagers to bounce back and forth. This is going to impact their future. This is going to have an effect on their relationships, education, career choice, etc., meaning that gender should not be something to “play around” with. If someone truly feels that they belong in the wrong body, that they are living in agony each day trying to cope with the fact that they feel stuck and are too nervous to come out to their peers, by all means, be yourself, and come out to the world. I support you and think that everyone deserves a chance at happiness. However, young children and teenagers whose brains are not developed enough to make rational decisions should not be disregarding labels only because it is the “cool” thing to do.
Like most things, this concept may just take some adjustments, but it's important to be aware that most humans are around for a long time, and making irrational decisions at such a young age may impact your future more than you could possibly imagine.
