Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

I agree with all you say there Clumsy.
Particularly in bold!

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

It's up to the Government to note how many people come into the country, they don't seem to have managed that yet.
Also if people aren't supposed to be here they won't appear on a census whatever gender they are.
A lot can change in a household in ten years between census forms so they don't really show true figures, just an idea.
As for hospitals, surely the numbers of patients and their genders appear on their records at some point so they can see what type of wards they need, the same as they must do with maternity, orthopedics etc.
I think if they hadn't announced this possible change, no one would have noticed, it's just been brought to our attention to cause a fuss.
You don't have to tick boxes about ethnicity if you don't want to which is probably just as informative as gender when you're monitoring a population, isn't it?

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

Sorry but I can't agree with you there it was always considered to be a hormone imbalance. If that is wrong then anybody choosing to have sex with somebody of the same sex has to be choice.
If it was natures way of reducing the population,then it won't work as most of them seem to want a family too... very often by using their own sperm or eggs!

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

I'm sure many parents have known their small children go through such experiences. From birth to around 8 years of age my son was what could only be described as a "pretty" child and on meeting people who didn't know us they always said "what a pretty little girl". He went through a stage of saying "when I grow up to be a big girl"... At around 3 or 4 years of age he then said "I'm not a girl I'm a boy". If he had been born these days, I'd probably be rushing off to see a psychiatrist to try and get him a sex change and insisting that he could wear a dress to school.

He grew up to be a soldier, won medals for boxing and shooting etc, etc, no confusion whatsoever about what sex he was. I very strongly suspect it's the same for a huge majority of children.

I must be old fashioned but I think all this pushing of gender neutral is very wrong and is only going to lead to a very confused next generation.

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

Sorry, have to disagree with you Tess. They have annnounced it, and I am annoyed with it!

It is probably a hot potato for the PC, but I personally believe that the entry on the Census form regarding ethnicity should also be mandatory!
If no-one need put their ethnicity down on the Census form, how are we able to gauge the percentage of what ethnicity is in this country? Surely to goodness, we need this information to keep a check on immigration, if nothing else? (or is that classed as racist speak?).

All I know is that it is all getting crazy. We have a duty to fill in the Census form every ten years, and perfectly legitimate sections such as Mr, Mrs, Male, Female and Ethnicity should be available to see and be ready to fill in.I do not care one iota if they wish to add any other titles, they can add as many new titles as they wish. But not at the expense of obliterating those of us who have existed since the Census form first came into being. I think they have a ruddy nerve in even suggesting it!
Religion is not important as everyone's religion is supposedly equal. One's gender and ethnicity is not, never will be, and the percentage of both needs to be taken into account by the government.

Surely that is what the Census form is for? The way things are heading, pretty soon, no-one will exist. we will all just be known as cogs!

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

I've only ever heard the hormone theory from people that are trying to find a cure. It's not a theory I'd believe.

And nature often throws up things that humans find a way around. If society wasn't set up so keenly to have families I doubt the gay people wanting families would be so keen. Many heterosexual people feel pushed into that one too.

If it was a hormone I think by now it would be eradicated as its not something generally people are very happy to accept initially about themselves. No one would chose the lifestyle that can get them thrown from a high tower or stoned, it's too much to believe they'd do that.

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

Just a quick question why do we need to know ethnicity ? I often wonder when filling in forms why they need to know. If we are seeking equality then surely that should not matter ?

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

I'm with you Shroppy.

It defeats the whole objective of the census
1) To establish current population.
2) To anticipate population growth ( the mars and venus syndrome) to establish future demands on healthcare, schooling and housing etc.

If anything, I'd heard a few years back the government were considering scrapping the census anyway. Apparently, we're all so well documented in the system via banking, credit cards, medical records that the census is becoming defunct and considered an expensive waste of money.

In 1911 householders were even required to say how many children they'd had and how many had died and were still living. The PC brigade would go wild over that one now as an invasion of privacy.

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

Think of it as 'pick and mix' at the old Woollies sweet counter Julie.
They want to know how many Everton Mints are in with the Jelly Babies.

Re: Taking the Sex out of the Census.

Shroppie I hope you've sent this in letter form to your MP!