Jake Sakon

"X" Essay
Almost everyone throughout the world has or will be affected by their
environment and society whether they choose to or not. Especially with today's
worldwide social media and extensive use of the internet and technology, it is almost
impossible not to be impacted by society, no matter how conscientious people are of
their environment and themselves. Throughout the short story, "X" by Lois Gould, a
couple and their child of unknown gender realize the difficulties and consequences of
raising a child in a world filled with gender inequalities and stereotypes. The author,
Gould, explores the complex relationship between the life experiences and stereotypes
that come along with them and how they can impact the life of a individual, young or old.
This is explored through the society in which X exists in and their reaction and
perception to a child with no gender, his/her parents love for their child even through the
hardships and discrimination they face because of the circumstances of X, and X them
self, their emotions, and reactions; the reader understands how worldview is taught and
learned through the experiences of others and themselves.
X is the name of a young child called an "X", they are neither a boy nor a girl but
simply an "X". X's parents take part in an experiment in which their child theoretically
and emotionally has no gender, therefore does not fit into any stereotypes and is not
subject to prejudice. The parents soon learn how harsh society can be when they find
something that is out of the norm, such as a baby with no gender. People are horrified
when X's parents tell them that their baby is a "X" not a boy or a girl as per traditional
answers. "'You're a what?' the lady exclaimed angrily. 'You're a little b-r-a-t, you mean!'"
Throughout the story X's parents run into many predicaments involving society and
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other parents who are brainwashed by the stereotypes that girls should play dress-up,
have tea parties and wear pink, and that boys should play in the mud and be good at
sports. Through all the hardships X's parents still stay true to the experiment and to
themselves and love X for being X not for being a girl or a boy. This is equally important
to what Gould's message is for the story of X, it is not only about gender stereotypes but
it also touches on sexual orientation and individuality as well in that it does not matter if
a boy wants to be a girl or a girl wants to be a boy they should be loved no matter what
they choose, especially at a young age where gender does not and should not matter.
X's parents are a huge part in how X stays happy because they make him/her feel loved
for who they are even when the world is against them. X's parents represent the good of
society and the ideal state of mind that Gould thinks people in society should take in
respect towards equality and non-prejudice. This leads into the wrong ideals about
society that are represented by the society itself in the story.
The society that X lives in is relatively normal and sticks to the status quo; this
stays true until X comes into the picture. As soon as X is introduced into society people
are thrown out of sync almost immediately. People instantaneously begin to judge X
based on his/her non gender and back away in disgust when X's parents tell them that
their baby is an "X". To society it seems like a rude joke being played on them by the
parents and do not realize that X is no different from their own children. Parents react
this way because they are conditioned through their previous experience that children
are either male or female, not "X". X is different than the norm and the people's
reactions are a response to change. To the parents this seems like a joke that is being
played on them that's not funny and that is why they are angry when X's parents tell
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them that X has no gender. For the children they have a different reaction to change as
they have not yet been conditioned by their experiences so they are still exploring the
world and creating their own world views. At first they are confused what an "X" is and
for awhile share their parents thoughts and feelings on X, they soon begin to develop
their own ideas about X which are mostly positive. When X starts going to school
he/she starts running into the real problems caused by the gender segregation of
society, cooking class for girls and soccer for boys, toilets specifically for girls and toilets
specifically for boys, friends that are boys and friends that are girls, X is overwhelmed
and does not understand the concept of different genders because X is both but also
neither. X is alienated by his/her classmates because the girls do not know if they
should be friends with X because they do not know if X is a girl or a boy and vice versa
with the boys. Soon after though the other children at school begin to realize that X, who
excels at both girls and boys activities, is having more fun than any of them because X
is not tied to only certain activities, but X can do everything he/she wants to. Soon boys
and girls start dressing in overalls like X and girls start playing soccer and boys start
playing house, soon the school is full of Xs. Another loop is thrown into society as soon
all kids begin to become Xs, parents who were already angry at the prospect of having
a child with no gender at their school are now having to face the same problem at
home. This is a nightmare for parents because what father wants a son that plays
dress-up or mother who wants a girl that enjoys rolling around in the mud. This is where
the problem with society comes into play, everyone is so concerned about what the
stereotypes are suppose to look like that they forget that kids are still just kids and they
are playing around. Gender should mean nothing at such a young age and kids should
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be free to do as they like. The parents of the school demand that X see a psychiatrist
because he is mixed up and when X comes back from the check-up the psychiatrist
declares that X is the least mixed up child ever. This statement by the psychiatrist is a
very significant part of the story because the psychiatrist represents the neutral thinker
and suggests that because X does not care about all of the stereotypes with genders
and can just be X. X doesn't have to pretend to be anything their not and they are free
to be whatever they feel like without having to be judged based on whether it is a girl or
boy activity.
X itself throughout the story although at times becomes upset and confused is
mostly content and quite joyful about their life. X does not understand why girls are girls
and boys are boys and consequently has no prejudices or preferences about gender. X
lives its life without the pressure of being a boy or a girl and conforming to the
expectations that society places on genders. This is shows how life experiences impact
someone and not pre-conceived prejudices such as gender. X shows other students
through experience that boys can have fun doing girl things and girls can have fun doing
boy things and that everyone should be able to do what they want to do, not what
society wants them to do. X shows everyone, without knowing, through their actions that
no matter the sex, the perception of gender is exactly that; a perception, not reality. If X
were to truly realize the implications of being an X and not a boy or a girl, X could have
broken down and told someone his/her true gender which would have given into
society's pressure. But since X did not he/she lived contently and happily because they
were who they wanted to be and were loved for who they were.
Jake Sakon
In the story "X" by Lois Gould, a young child who has no specified gender as part
of a social experiment is brought up from birth to childhood in a society where gender
stereotypes are at large. Through the experiences of X, his/her parents, and society,
Gould explores the impacts of life experiences on an individual. Throughout the story
there are two main motifs that Gould sticks to, gender stereotypes and equality among
people. Gould explores these issues of society brilliantly as she uses an "X" to portray a
kink in the norm of society which exposes the prejudice and alienation towards certain
genders and people. Overall the impact that this story had on the reader is very strong
as it sends a strong message with a somewhat relatable story in which the reader can
imagine and see what life for an "X" would be like. Gould simply shows the reader that
gender does not matter until you reach a certain age and that society as a whole should
stop with gender stereotypes and love their children and each other for who they are
and who they want to be.