Let Your Boys Play With Dolls
While young girls are slowly being rejuvinated from the brainwashing of societal norms and stereotypes, young boys are also in the process of being released from these stigmas, as well. Not at the same pace as girls, since there are still very strong stigmas between the child's peers and the influnce of marketing in tv shows and toys. I would like to extend a challenge to the other parents in my followers to join me in a crusade to let the boys play with dolls.
My youngest nephew loves the movie Frozen. He has the biggest crush on Elsa, loves the song "Let It Go," which he will loudly babble the words for hours, and has even began referring to his girl friends as "Princess." I had the following conversation with him, "Ray? Did you go see your girlfriend, Kennedy, today?" He very seriously told me, "No, Kennedy is a pwincess." My heart burst into a thousand pieces thinking about how this little boy would save humanity.
And then there came the controversy of his Christmas present. His mother, my sister, found a pair of Frozen pjs with Elsa and Anna on the front in bright pink and blues. She made a very heart felt post about how gender stereotypes need to end and that her son's outfit made him very happy. Most of her followers, mostly women I will add, were applauding her courage and motherly instinct to put her child before the image of society.
My issue is not that my nephew had pink and blue pjs. My issue is that my nephew has pajamas meant for a girl. Before you leave an angry comment, let me explain. My nephew, a boy, starts wearing clothes meant for a girl, plays with toys meant for a girl, and is taught that society will accept all of this without question. Here comes the issue. My nephew, who identifies as a boy, will start to question at a very young age about whether or not he is meant to be a boy. The fact that he enjoys things that are marketed as "girl" has influenced him to the point of where he is now questioning his identity.
HOLD UP! Finger off of that "post comment" button. This is not a post speaking against transgender people or nonbinary individuals. This is my own personal opinion about shaming boys who identify as male (no matter their sexuality) for liking things that are marketed to females. Just like an adult heterosexual man is shamed for liking to get his eyebrows waxed and nails done, there is a heavy pressure for men to be within strict guidelines in order to be considered a man. A man who enjoys fashion or cooking is immediately thought of as gay or the "woman" in a relationship. A boy who plays with dolls is thought of by his friends as a wuss and girly. And if anyone wishes to point out how the thoughts of children and friends don't matter, just remember your days between ages 11-17. Your life was almost 100% run by the opinions of your friends and peers.
This is my alternative to the issue of a very young child being influenced by gender norms, societal pressure, and peer pressure. Start making androgenous toys and market them for both boys and girls. Start making costumes of royalty, first responders, warriors, and super heroes that could be for a boy, girl, or still deciding. Encourage children of all genders to make friends with each other and explore many different topics and genres that will turn into passions and hobbies later in life. Start buying products that encourage marketers to stop dividing children and start advertising to PEOPLE not GENDERS.