Gender identity key to strong society

In nature, as in all things, there must be a balance in order to maintain order, security and consistency. When there are too many deer in the forest, for example, other parts of the ecosystem suffer. The same is true in our society, which is why I was disturbed when reading The Associated Press story, “Gender stereotypes easing more for girls than boys.”

The movement toward blurring the line in gender identity is a dangerous path and one that will lead to a societal breakdown. A boy needs a strong male role model in his life in order to teach him how to grow into a strong man himself. How can a boy grow to be a good father himself if he was never shown how to be a true man, one that values hard work and respects women — especially his mother and his wife?

No matter what sociologists theorize, a woman will gravitate toward a man who showcases masculine features, just as a man will find a woman with feminine features desirable. It’s that difference between the genders that keeps society moving forward. A boy who is encouraged to conduct himself outside of his gender identity will find himself being isolated later in life from women and that will lead to frustration and possible destructive behaviors, perhaps even violence toward women.

Children cannot raise themselves and to let a boy continue to paint his toenails pink (or any color), dress in skirts, etc., is an affront to nature and completely disrespectful to masculinity and to male society as a whole. We need to celebrate our differences, but not by blurring the line between men and women. Children need to grow up appreciating the unique qualities that both masculinity and femininity have to offer.

Steve Howard

Schaumburg