No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free? is a TV series produced by Outline Productions that aired in the UK in 2017. The show is hosted by doctor and broadcaster Javid Abdelmoneim, who seeks to investigate how the gender divide affects children and what can be done to promote a more gender-neutral education system.
In the first episode, Abdelmoneim sets out to challenge the traditional stereotypes relating to gender by conducting a social experiment with a group of seven-year-old children at Lanesend Primary School on the Isle of Wight. The aim of the experiment is to see whether it's possible to eradicate gender-specific beliefs and behaviours in young children by addressing gender biases in the classroom.
To do this, Abdelmoneim and the school's staff implement a series of interventions to help break down gender barriers. These include changes to the classroom environment, such as the removal of explicitly gendered signage, and the creation of a gender-neutral, shared reading space. They also introduce a range of new activities that challenge traditional gender stereotypes, including firefighter role-play and empathetic listening exercises.
Throughout the series, Abdelmoneim speaks with a variety of experts, including psychologists, sociologists, and educators, to explore the impact of gender on children's development, behaviour, and aspirations. He also speaks with parents and teachers to gain a better understanding of how gender attitudes are formed and perpetuated.
As the weeks progress, the show demonstrates the impact these interventions have on the children. By the end of the experiment, they have made significant strides in breaking down gender barriers, with girls feeling more confident in their ability to succeed in traditionally male-dominated professions, and boys expressing a greater willingness to express their emotions.
The series also explores the role played by gender in the wider society, examining how gender stereotypes are reinforced in the media, toy marketing, and the workplace. It highlights the need to challenge these stereotypes at all levels in order to create a more equal and inclusive society.
Overall, No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free? offers a compelling exploration of the impact of gender on children's lives and the ways in which gender stereotypes can be challenged and overcome. It is an informative and thought-provoking exploration of a complex and important issue, and one that is likely to provoke discussion and debate.
No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free? is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between August 16, 2017 and on Outline Productions
