I recently stumbled upon a story about two moms who were fed up with the dull choices in girls’ clothing, so they launched a clothing line featuring designs like rocket ships, trains, and dinosaurs—prints that you typically find in the boys’ section. This got me thinking.
I absolutely love the idea of girls rocking “boy” designs. It’s fantastic. But, what about the other side of the coin? What about boys who want to wear traditional “girl designs”? What about those who would prefer to be Elsa for Halloween instead of Olaf? Seriously, what about the boys?
As a woman, I feel a strong obligation to support women’s rights and gender equality—and I do. I want to achieve everything a man can, and be evaluated solely on my skills and character, not my gender. I want the same for my three daughters.
So, I’m not at all against the movement to empower girls to be astronauts, superheroes, or scientists. I applaud the efforts to address this issue, and it’s great to see so many people rallying behind girls’ rights. Women can do anything men can do, and girls can embrace whatever interests they choose.
But When It Comes to Boys…
If one of my daughters decides she prefers pants over dresses, or sports over dance, nobody bats an eye. If she excels in athletics, everyone cheers her on. If she enjoys playing outside and getting dirty, I can share photos of her covered in mud and rack up likes on social media. But guess what? No one is going to say, “Shouldn’t you encourage her to pursue more feminine hobbies?” or “If you let her play sports, she might become a lesbian.”
This is where I start to feel frustrated. My sweet, adorable five-year-old son just so happens to be that boy who wanted to be Elsa for Halloween. We pieced together a costume because, let’s be real, there’s no “Boy Elsa” costume available in stores. And even in preschool, I worried about how other kids would react if he showed up in a dress.
He also loves My Little Pony, but try finding a My Little Pony t-shirt for him—it’s impossible. I can easily buy my daughters superhero shirts, even from the boys’ section, which tend to be more gender-neutral. But when it comes to girls’ shirts, it’s all ruffles, pinks, and bows.
As a mom, this is a constant struggle for me. Yes, letting my son wear a “girl’s” shirt would make him happy. But what if he faces ridicule at school? He’s sensitive, and I know how damaging a few harsh words from peers can be. My husband and I often find ourselves navigating the tightrope of supporting his identity while trying to shield him from negativity.
Why Aren’t We Discussing This?
So, why aren’t we discussing this aspect of gender inequality? Why are we focusing on empowering girls but ignoring boys? And why do well-meaning friends and family say things like:
- “Don’t you think you should encourage different interests? Maybe steer him in another direction?”
– Oh, so you think I should tell my son to stop liking what he likes and push him toward trucks? Nope. - “Your son is definitely going to be gay.”
– Really? You know that for sure? And why does it matter? I care about my son’s happiness, not his sexual orientation. - “You’re going to teach him to be gay.”
– That’s. Not. Even. A. Thing.
Let’s have an open conversation about this. Let’s dismantle the stereotype that boys can only enjoy certain things while girls can enjoy anything. It’s time for acceptance across the board, not just for one gender. This mama has had enough!
If you’re interested in more discussions around parenting issues, check out this post on home insemination, which offers insights on a different yet equally important topic. For more information on home insemination methods, visit Make a Mom. Additionally, the CDC provides excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, we need to broaden the dialogue around gender equality to include boys, ensuring they feel free to express themselves without the fear of judgment. It’s important to create an inclusive environment where everyone can pursue their interests, regardless of gender.