Culture Freak L.A.

• Pink = Female higher than male
• Green = Equal
• Blue = Male higher than female
• Grey = No data

In regions where women are considered less valuable and are often aborted (many of the blue regions), women suffer. The scarce amount of women, combined with the fact that they are considered lesser-than makes for a very hostile situation. This is what happens when the ratio of men to women is high:

1) Trafficking and kidnapping of girls and women increases dramatically.

2) Cases of rape and molestation go up.

3) Women and girls from regions where the sex ratio is normal (and where the status of women is higher) are ‘imported’ as brides and often live unhappy lives as they find it hard to adjust to a male dominated, restrictive atmosphere.

4) Cases of polygamy (without the woman’s consent) increase.

5) Suicide rates of young women go up.

6) Fewer women go out to work.

7.) Very young girls are pushed into marriage…there is an increase in child marriages. This leads to less women being educated and health problems as children are born to very young girls.

[source]

A couple in Toronto with several children, have decided not to reveal the sex of their newest child to anyone. They want to allow their child to make his/her own choice about what they want to wear, play, love etc. without judgment or expectations that come with being a male/female.

Kathy Witterick and David Stocker named the child, Storm. A carefully selected gender-neutral choice. In an e-mail, Ms. Witterick wrote, “the whole world must know what is between the baby’s legs is unhealthy, unsafe, and voyeuristic”. The couple believes it is inappropriate to impose gender identity on a child.

I’m torn on this one. I think everyone, at any age – should be who they are, regardless of gender. But I also think that unfortunately, in the Engligh Language “he” and “she” is used a lot to refer to a person. So this will create a lot of extra work and confusion for the people who interact with the child. But, as someone who hated barbies, loved my ninja turtle underwear and grew up to be a well-adjusted young lady: I do love the idea of letting Storm decide what he/she wants – regardless of gender. What do you think?