I just have to speak on this matter because it upset me.
and I want to share my feelings.
I woke up to the morning show talking about this "dilemma"
a mother who feels lucky to have a child, obviously a son,
who's favorite color is pink. It didn't seem that the anchors
had a problem with it but the facebook question on their page
sparked anger from people- including mothers.
I will be the first mommy to say that I have a son who
loves walking in his sissy's shoes, pushing around his stuffed
animals in a stroller and playing kitchen.
why do we plant such strong gender roles on our innocent future?
If Ryland asked me to paint his nails whatever color I was
painting Adriana's that day- I would. Does he look curious
when I am doing it, of course! There is nothing wrong with it.
Sure I have gender toys in my house but what boy doesn't like
trucks and what little girl doesn't love baby dolls?
My kids play imaginatively with each other and with each others
toys because its not wrong and it is okay!!
We shouldn't be judging our children on the outside appearances.
This shows creativity and uniqueness.
What bugs me, are the media headlines and so called
important people who have nothing else better to do
than bash an innocent little boy and his mother.
Erin Brown, with the Media Research Center, calls the J. Crew ad "blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children."
But a writer named "Jill" on the Feministe blog calls the ad a good reason to shop at J. Crew. She fires back at Brown's piece: "A boy playing with… nail polish?! What’s next? Is he going to talk in a high-pitched voice? Someone call Child Protective Services and get this kid sent to a home where he’ll be beaten with a rod if he even thinks about wearing those nautical stripes again, or so much as exhibits the tiniest hint of joy."
Fox News On Twitter: Does Painting A Boy's Nails In J.Crew Ad 'Cross The Line'?
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Fox News On Twitter: Does Painting A Boy's Nails In J.Crew Ad 'Cross The Line'?
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Just because he likes the color pink and wants his nails painted, does not and should not pin him as transgendered or gay- especially at his age! It's a c o l o r for petes sake and he's a flippin c h i l d. Of course it’s natural that people will want to weigh in on something like this and ask questions like “What will his classmates think if they see this?” or “What if the ad showed a little girl playing with trucks instead?” But is it up to a news outlet to lead that discussion, especially when the language it chooses to use - “crossing the line” which already insinuates its own view on the matter? I'm wondering what the reaction would be if another media or news outlet decided to highlight the ad in an encouraging manner- which is what should have happened in the first place. If instead using "crossing the line" or "transgendered" or "what will people think" we should be framing the creativity and free spirit of the child instead.
feel free to share your thoughts, I know I had to.
As a child I grew up with all older male cousins... I played with hot wheels, climbed trees, and played basketball. I also played with barbies and my little ponies with my friends. I say let kids be kids! They're growing up too fast and under so much pressure to be this or be that... let them explore and try different things. We should be encouraging children to use their imaginations, not putting them down and drilling gender differences in their heads at a young age when they are so impressionable.
ReplyDeleteThey don't know what 'gay' or 'transgender' means at that age... all they know is it's a toy, or that they see someone else doing something, they're curious and want to try.
I can't imagine how much it would have hurt my feelings if my parents made fun of me for wanting to play with so-called 'boy toys'... I'm happy they gave me the freedom to explore and discover myself rather than shoving what society has decided is right down my throat.
First off, I remember reading something about how pink actually used to be the color for little boys, it was a diluted version of the red that their father's wore. It was BOYISH until we decided it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteSecondly my brother used to ask me to paint his nails when we were little and he wants to go to school to be a mechanic and would like to own his own garage, a pretty stereotypical male profession. Either I didn't paint his nails enough or in a bright enough pink shade, or these people need to get their heads out of their asses.
I think it is so ridiculous that people have a problem with something as simple as a young boy wanting his nails painted and then they wonder why we have gay teens being teased until they kill themselves. We show our children with rude comments like that, that it isn't okay to be different, and it is a shame. I think those people who have anything bad to say should be ashamed of themselves.
Oh lady! I agree whole heartedly. Its our own comfort with the subject that makes us react the way we do. Its shameful. There is no reason men shouldn't be allowed to paint their fingernails-its a cultural thing. Not inherently wrong. I wish people would shift their negative attitudes towards something that deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you sweet ladies. If only everyone could have an open, healthy mind like those who agree with this and us. Thank you for taking time to read and share <3
ReplyDeleteI paint Jackson's nails when he asks, he can wear or play with whatever he damn well pleases, and if anyone ever said anything to me about it, I would take the opportunity to educate them. As far as sexual orientation, people ask what the gender of our baby is, we say that it's undetermined, but his sex is male. He will be whoever he is and his gender and sexual identity is yet to be determined- for all 3 of my kids.
ReplyDeleteI'd be a proud PFLAG mom, love a transgendered child with no hesitation, painted nails or unpainted nails. What makes a person any less a person or makes a child any less an individual? And who has the right to make that determination?! Ugh- it drives me nuts!!
If people paid this much attention to pollution or GMOs, we'd be in good shape.
I personally don't see a thing wrong with boys playing with "girl" toys, or vice versa. As a kid, toys are just toys- they're fun to play with. Why is there anything wrong with a little boy wanting to paint his nails? For goodness sakes, it's FUN! I think people just want to make a big deal out of nothing. Kids are kids- if you read them what the media is saying, they probably wouldn't even know what you were talking about. All they're doing is having a good time playing with fun toys.
ReplyDeleteMy little brothers all did that, one of them even asked for a Pink Strawberry Short Cake Cake :)
ReplyDeleteThey grew out of it as they got older and are now great outdoor working boys!
AND I THINK IT IS PERFECTLY FINE FOR BOYS TO PLAY WITH GIRL THING AND GIRLS PLAY WITH BOY THINGS!