You raise interesting questions. Here is a possible beginnning response:
There is no such thing as gender-free; gender is the strongest social
construct we have after being human. That is why research that claims to
be gender-free simply cannot be--you can't create those conditions.
We happen to be at a juncture when economic and social conditions favor
the loosening of current gender relations; and many members of the
subordinate gender, namely women, like that a lot! Men, the dominant
gender, don't like it as much, on the whole. How do you feel about that?
Many women and many men argue that men are imprisoned by current gender
relations, and would benefit from the liberation of women. Many men and
many women argue that women are best subordinated, and seek to resist
the liberation of women. How do you feel about the Taliban, for example?
Individual and social idealism may be aided--or subverted--by social
and economic events in the future relating to overpopulation,
demographics of industrialization, corporate socialization, and
destruction of habitat for humans and other animals.
How's that for starters? Good luck! Teachers hold the matrix of the
change in their hands!
Linda Purrington
Title IX Advocates
lpurring@earthlink.net