Authenticity: Being true to ourselves.

How Authenticity relates to Gender Equity.

Sexism teaches us to ignore and/or shame our inner voice, inner experience, and our true selves. Authenticity instead guides us to pay attention to these parts of ourselves.

By developing a stronger relationship with ourselves, we can more clearly and confidently choose differently from the status quo.

Examples of what Authenticity looks like in an adult.

• Someone who respects their thoughts and feelings.
• An adult who speaks their truth as often as possible.
• Someone whose words and actions match.
• An adult who can make decisions that are contrary to family, friends, and/or mainstream culture.
• Someone who doesn’t pressure others to go against their authentic selves.
• An adult who can recognize the difference between the influence of socialization and genuine pleasure when doing an activity.
• Someone who experiences the lightness, peace of mind, and joy that comes from living by their personal values.

Examples of how you can teach Authenticity to your child.

• Role model all of the above.
• Share how you know what you’re feeling.
• Demonstrate how you manage and express your emotions in healthy ways.
• Help your child trust themselves by trusting their experience. For example, if your child says, “I’m cold.” Don’t say, “You’re not cold.” Or if your child says, “I don’t like spaghetti.” Don’t say, “Of course, you do. You had it last week.” Or “I don’t like Sonya.” “Don’t say that. She’s a nice kid.” Or “I hate my teacher.” “What a horrible thing to say. Watch your mouth.”
• Listen to your child more than you talk to your child.
• Help your child remember the times they have made wise decisions.
• Demonstrate how you stop and listen to your inner thoughts before you make an important decision.
• Share when you’ve made choices that go against the status quo, as well as when you haven’t.

*I am using “they/their/theirs/them/themselves” as singular pronouns.

Back to Guiding Principles for
Developing Whole Children

Self Awareness | Reciprocity | Full Personhood | Equality | Physical Ownership | Verbal Conflict Resolution | Emotional Wellness | Advocacy | Humility | Authenticity | Contribution | Resiliency | Joy | Gratitude | Community | Critical Thinking