"All of us carry labels applied by others. The complimentary ones-- "generous," "funny," "smart"-- are worn with pride. The harsh ones can be lifelong burdens, indictments we try desperately to outrun. The most enduring label, and arguably the most influential, is the first one most of us got: "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!" Though Sigmund Freud used the word "anatomy" in his famous axiom, in essence he meant that gender is destiny. Today that and other beliefs about gender are shifting rapidly and radically. That's why we're devoting this month's issue to an exploration of gender-- in science, in social systems, and in civilizations throughout history."--From the Editor.

by Alexis Okeowo, photographs by Stephanie Sinclair -- Dads at home -- Girls at risk -- Equality -- Gender revolution: a journey with Katie Courec.by Robin Marantz Henig, photographs by Lynn Johnson -- I am nine years old / by Eve Conant, photographs by Robin Hammond -- Making a man / by Chip Brown, photographs by Pete Muller -- American girl / by Tina Rosenberg, photographs by Kitra Cahana -- Dangerous lives of girls / by Alexis Okeowo, photographs by Stephanie Sinclair -- Dads at home -- Girls at risk -- Equality -- Gender revolution: a journey with Katie Courec.