Short Response to Sexing the Body

In chapter three, Sterling-Fausto explains that "the rules for living as a male or female are strict" (75). It is easy to see this in the way parents raise their children and the ways in which men and women are expected to act. For instance, young boys are often taught to be athletic and less emotional than females. In the Good Morning America segment "Boy Fights Bullying for the Right to Cheer," an eleven-year-old boy named Tyler Wilson is interviewed about his experience being bullied for being a member of an all female cheerleading team. Wilson was bullied by classmates for not fitting the role of the stereotypical boy. Instead of playing little league or soccer, Wilson decided to do something different, something that made him happy, yet was a stereotypical female sport. Unfortunately, Wilson's decision led to constant bullying, to the point of a broken arm. This is not the only example we can see of people receiving backlash for transgressing the gender lines. We see this when boys cry or when girls join a youth football team. "The rules for living as a male or female are strict," but it is our perpetuation of such stereotypes and our disapproval of  those who do not fit those typecast roles that create an unaccepting environment.

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/boy-fights-bullying-for-the-right-to-cheer-22181559