6103week2

The podcast discusses the differences between men and women based on biology, as well as the idea that gender is a social construct. The speaker believes that individuals should have the right to live in the gender that feels right to them. However, they also express concerns about students wanting to be called different names and use different bathrooms, especially considering that their brains aren't fully developed until around 25. The speaker emphasizes the importance of supporting and providing a safe space for individuals to explore their identity. They also mention the need for self-reflection and understanding biases based on personal experiences. Overall, the podcast touches on the complexities of gender and the importance of empathy and understanding in therapy. Welcome to today's podcast, my name is Anna Suero, MFT student here at National University. Today I will engage in a reflective activity that some may call cultural de-centering and look at two sides of gender and also discuss my perspective. Men and women are different from before birth due to biology. When sex is assigned, it is clear of the differences and things like hormones and muscle mass make it more and more obvious. While men are better suited for jobs like construction workers and police officers, they also are equipped for professions that require leadership and fortitude such as lawyers and political figures. Men will not need time off of work due to the hardship of pregnancy and birth and will be better providers as they will not need to take time off work to care for ill children and tend to school functions. This is in contrast to the second perspective which says society has drastically changed and biology needs to stop being the end-all be-all for one's identity. Gender is fluid and a social construct like race and marriage. Considering what we know about epigenetics, we must accept that the expression of genes linked to gender development is influenced by certain environmental circumstances and experiences. It is helpful to consider that even if one is assigned male or female reproductive birth, the meaning behind the anatomy is up to the individual, just like we all have brains but we can choose to use them very differently. This is not to say that hormones and neurology do not have an effect just as this also does not imply that it is the only cause either. Gender roles and expectations are influenced by our environment and the meaning of sex versus gender is often misconstrued. My perspective, while I cannot refute the sex a person is born with, I will not deny a person their right to live in the gender of their better good, which can only be determined by the individual. Though I may initially be uncomfortable when speaking to a transgender or fluid individual, I am more and more impressed with their bravery and fortitude to live authentically. That being said, when I was a teacher, it was somewhat worrisome that so many students wanted to be called different names, assigned different bathrooms, and expected me to conform to their ever-flowing river of fluidity, knowing that their brains are not fully developed until around 25. Having said that, as long as someone is not hurting anyone, it is with maturity and grace that I can understand that this may be a part of finding oneself, as we all do in youth, or being in touch with parts of them that many adults shun. Either way, it is not my job to criticize or question an individual's right to live according to their path, but rather, my job is to support, guide, and provide safe sanctuary to those looking. According to one of the readings this week, the constructivist approach recommends self-reflection and attuning to one's biases based on non-linear development while understanding the environment that helped to create such bias. For instance, while I was brought up in a family that traveled and a father who was an international businessman, he also is quite sarcastic, often poking fun at certain races, particularly Asians. The other day, we had to have a subcontractor come to our home to fix something in our shower that was not done correctly. I thought to myself, they'd better send the contractor and not someone who doesn't speak English. I felt guilty thinking that, and when I opened the door and saw they had indeed sent an Asian man who could not communicate with me, I had to fight negative feelings and reframe my frustration. My frustration was with the company and not the person. This person is doing the best he can with the skills he has, just as I am. Showing humility, keeping up with the latest scholarly journals, and maintaining a good rapport with your supervisor is key in dealing with any potential issues when you may feel compromised in your ability to treat every and all clients. Thank you for joining me today as I scratched the surface of diversity in the therapy room. Take good care.