HelloSweetie wrote:I really want to know just how many of the people that like to point out gender roles actually have boys with pink shirts, dolls or other "girl" things.... or daughters with trucks, superhero toys, tools, etc. When kids are Brookes age they don't necessarily have too many interests yet so I think it's just fine to introduce them to Spider-Man, Mickey or Cars... things that are common interests to little boys. There is nothing wrong with boys liking dolls, but it isn't the most common interest, so it would be silly to push it on them just to be "gender neutral."
I've pointed this out on other boards before when this discussion has come up, but as the mother of a 10 year old boy who is a competitive dancer who currently has magenta hair and loves musicals, I can tell you just how hard it is to let your child be who they are. I didn't put my son in pink at a young age or lead him in the direction of loving dance... he led us here through his developing interests. It's about getting to know your child and being open and accepting of who they are.... not forcing the other gender roles on them to try and prove how open you are! I have no doubt that C&K will let their kids be who they want and follow their own interests eventually. Right now Brookes is 1! His creativity isn't being stifled . Like someone else said, they were Mickey waffles, and we have no reason to believe that MG doesn't like Spider-Man herself. That in and of itself is an gender assumption.
For all we know, there were two kinds bought because it was product placement.
My daughter had a tool set when she was little. She used to like pink, but doesn't anymore. When she was a baby, I had little fantasies of taking her to dance class, and going to the Nutcracker with her. She hates ballet. She loves basketball, mostly playing it. So I gave up my expectations, and go to all her games and cheer my lungs out. Her happiness is what matters. If my son wanted magenta hair, I would be supportive. His dad wouldn't. His dad is homophobic, and would think it meant he was gay, and that would be just awful as far as he's concerned. My son did have Thomas the tank engine toys, but it was because he loved them. Qe didn't push particular toys on them just to be gender neutral. That's just as bad as only letting girls play with dolls or boys play with cars. I have two gay nephews, which isn't the same thing at all, but still, everyone in my family is supportive of them.
I don't think we have to be insane over the gender stereotypes. Just being aware of them and how they affect people is what matters. I do think it's a little important with the vloggers, because so many children watch them. I mostly find it interesting to discuss it, especially because people here are from different areas and different countries. I know living in Southern California, we're spoiled by the acceptance of different ways of being.
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