Because it was MY choice, not theirs. I expressed interest in these things, so they let me do what I want.
I'm all for not stereotyping, but I think gender is an important part of who we are and trying to make your child not have one is going to cause as many problems as it will solve.<!-- / message -->
But this kid wanting girls toys is his choice, too? So again, how is it different? or is it just becuase it's more socially acceptible for girls to be tomboys than it is for boys to be tomgirls?
Also
I still stand by what I said.
I don't know if he DOES know that he is male, or if he has a real sense of what being male means, because they raised him as gender neutral.
What they have done is raised him in such a way that this "third" gender was forced on him from birth. He doesn't know what it's like to be "male" because that hasn't been an option for him. That is vastly different from raising him male and when he expresses his own preference for toys and clothes, allowing him to wear and play with what he wants without pushing him in one direction or another.
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So what does 'being male' mean then? does it mean that he's going to grow up to be a big strong boy who doesnt show emotions?
They have no raised him as gender neutral. The kid knows he is a boy. They have not raised him to be gender neutral - they have simply allowed him to not be confined by gender sterotyping and only be allowed to play with boys things/wear boys things.
He does know what it's like to be male because he is male. Playing with 'girls' things and wearing 'girls' clothes does not change the fact he is male. It just means he has a wider choice of things to play with an wear.
You say 'I don't know if he does know he's male' and yet you claim to 'know' they are raising him as a third gender/gender neutral. You can't 'know' that, you do not know the parents. You are basing it on the new article. Which, if you read it properly, clearly states he knows he is a boy, and shows you that the parents never say they are raising him to be gender neutral, someone external from the family said it. Someone who in all probability, like you, and me, and everyone else in this thread, doesn't know the family.
Originally Posted by
Tokoloshe
I agree with Purple Rain. plus - 'forcing' a toddler to wears girls/boys clothes?! Who decides that this style or colour is for girls or boys? A century ago pink was seen as a boys colour (a warm colour because boys are strong and active) and blue was a girls colour (purity, like the Virgin Mary often being depicted in blue). Go back a century before that and all children wore dresses up to a certain age.
And it is socially acceptable (up to a point) for a girl to be a 'tomboy' - I was, and could wear trousers & climb trees without any hassle. My brother's interest in playing with dolls and wearing skirts was definitely discouraged. Yes, it would get him bullied - but why do so many people feel the need to bully someone who is different? Why can soldiers wear skirts on parade (in scottish regiments) without having a sudden crisis of masculinity, but for a boy to wear a skirt threaten his entire identity and Society As We Know It?
*takes hat off*
very well constructed argument here. Well done :)
The ignorance in this thread is astounding.