Do you think we are making our society androgynous?

Question

More and more Babies are being given "either/or" names. What do you think of this trend?

Answer 1

I suppose some people like gender neutral names so that they can call their baby something other than "it" before the baby is actually born. And yes, there is a trend of using neutral names to symbolize a breakdown of artificial gender stereotypes. I consider myself a feminist, but I still like boys to look like boys and girls to look like girls (no mullets for girls/ponytails on guys for me). A lot of times when I hear a name, I get a mental image in my mind, so for the most part, I like boys' names to sound masculine and girls' names to sound feminine.

I can't think of the name "Dale," for example, without thinking of a big burly guy with a beard, so I would never name a girl that. Likewise, I would never name a boy "Casey" because I always think of an exuberant little blond girl with a ponytail and a big smile.

That said, I wouldn't pass up a gender neutral name if I thought it suited both genders well. I think Jordan is pretty enough for a girl and masculine enough for a boy, so I love that name for either sex. Same with Andy/Andi, although I would probably name a boy Andrew or Andreus and a girl Andrea or Andromeda and just use the nickname. (It kind of lets you choose multiple names that you like and allows your kids to experiment with their identities by adapting their name).

Answer 2

There does seem to be some odd trend w baby names out there and its not just the either or names but the complete stealing of boy names and using them for girls - Tyler, Taylor, Casey, Riley, I have even heard of girls names Jacob & Trevor - something weird is up for sure!

Answer 3

Every time I see a question like this, I think of a little girl in a special needs classroom where I've worked a few times named Mychael.

People say names "fit" a child. Maybe because that's the way we're introduced to them, and because that's the child's name, that's what we tend to call them? It does seem to fit her, but that doesn't mean I like it.

Answer 4

I think it's cute
Their are some I do not think are unisex name
Skylar
Hayley
Hunter
But some are cute
Jordan
Ryan
Riley
Tory
Corey
I think It may be easier to come up with on name
I have a friend that were having twins, one girl and one they could not tell, so they decided on Jordan
They have a little girl name Jordan

Answer 5

recent statistical analyses finished by ability of David P. Schmitt of Bradley college, and others, shows that, opposite to the expectations of feminists, Postmodernists, and Social Constructionists, the hollow is widening between male and woman personality features in First international countries. ordinarily, women human beings's personalities practice a bent to comparative cultural and psychological conservatism, at the same time as adult men's have develop into more beneficial open, aggressive, and chance-taking. that's understood that the relative ease of existence in First international countries has presented about this replace; which apparently has allowed adult men for the first time in fifteen or twenty thousand years (considering that earlier the discovery of agriculture) to stay as if they were once back hunter/nomads, without the limitations of social agencies, relatives ties, or the favor of operating very not straightforward to live on. each of the extrapolations of those transformations between the sexes practice them increasing, no longer diminishing, as living criteria strengthen and existence receives more beneficial accessible. it style of feels obtrusive to me that as cultural and economic bonds between the sexes are loosened, heterosexuality may quit to be needed or taken with none interest, and male homosexuality may regain its historic status as a stress of social team spirit.

Answer 6

I believe that some parents take unisex names too far..If you're going to name your daughter Shane, James, or Dylan..try to make it a little more feminine and give them a really girly name to go with!
i.e.
"Shayne" instead of "Shane"
"Jaymes" or "Jaime" instead of "James"
And simply don't name a girl "Dylan" unless paired with "Marie" "Michelle" or "Amanda"

Answer 7

I dont think so... Most of these androgynous names are actually last names (Reed, Bailey, Ryan, etc. ..).. However, as a girl who has a unisex name I dont like it when I hear a boy have my name - it makes me think he is girly or a wuss. LOL

Answer 8

Alas our society is far from androgynous.

Answer 9

the either/or bothers me less than names like Apple, Moses and other weird names!

Answer 10

I think some are ok, but its actually too confusing. If its a girl, give her a girl name!! if its a boy, give him a boy name! its not that hard... lol!