Raising feminist children

If you are on facebook all of these have regular updates and are connected to feminist blogs of their own. Princess Free Zone, Pigtail Pals and Hardy Girls, Healthy Women are more parenting focused.

www.facebook.com/pages/Suppressed-Histories-Archives/333661528320

www.facebook.com/agirlsguidetotakingovertheworld

www.facebook.com/AmazingWomenRock

www.facebook.com/7Wonderlicious

www.facebook.com/pages/Princess-Free-Zone/302555991320

www.facebook.com/poweredbygirl

www.facebook.com/PigtailPals

www.facebook.com/MauveDinosaur

www.facebook.com/hardygirls

www.facebook.com/WeAreEquals

"its just with schools, influences of other people, toys etc I'd be more "

What you'll find is that 'schools, other people, toys etc' are talking to your child about every single subject under the sun. Try to think less about instilling messages and more about exploring opinions. Children are just small people. They have ideas on subjects that may be different to ours and they are entitled to challenge our ideas as much as we can challenge theirs. I've never consciously discussed my thoughts on religion with my DS for example, but he's attended church services, learned about religions at school etc. I had a feeling he was really into it. But he reaches the grand old age of 11yo, gets a piece of RE homework on constructing arguments why god does or doesn't exist.... and, to my immense relief, turns out to be as big an atheist as I am. :)

I've nothing to add but would like to sign up to any discussion about raising boys as feminists, I'm due a son in 7 weeks. I hope the messages we will instill in him will give him a good sense of fairness, equality etc its just with schools, influences of other people, toys etc I'd be more - I'm confused about all aspects of parenting though and haven't a clue about anything.

I don't think you need books. Your son will be hit with all kinds of conflicting messages about what is OK where women are concerned but, ultimately, his main role models for how men and women should behave and relate to each other will be you and his father. You are by far and away his biggest and most important influence. You will not only be challenging ideas he hears about regarding women as he grows up but all kinds of other moral and ideological questions.

But beware.... discuss rather than dictate because evangelising tends to backfire. Lost count of the number of friends I have who had (pick one) laid-back 'cool' parents but who are strict disciplinarians; very religious parents but who are confirmed atheists; very steady monogamous parents but who are on their third marriage....

Good for you. I've noticed mothers-of-boys tend to be the worst for buying pale pink clothes, barbies and bratz dolls for girl children! Glad you won't be doing that

I don't know of any resources - seems to me a lot of it is commonsense. Challenging stereotypes as they rear their ugly heads. Perhaps it helps to have a stock of examples to counter the 'girls can't do...' type crap.

(breadstick - I think most sane people regard blue as gender neutral - its about the most common colour for girl's school uniforms. It never occurred to me that DDs magnadoodle was the 'boy' one.)

I would have to say 'lead by example' which I'm sure you will. There is so much shite out there that keeping children away from archaic ideas and gender stereotypes will be impossible.

I'm currently expecting my first child - we haven't found out the sex - I also have a DSD (age 5) - and I'm increasingly overwhelmed by the gender stereotyping and poor messages delivered to such young children whether they are boys or girls. From the fact that I can't buy what I consider a gender-neutral toy such as a keyboard, post office or magna-doodle in yellow, red or green - they're all bloody pink or blue to the most offensive thing I've seen in a long time - a Hello Kitty 'Big Book of Life' with hair and make-up tips that someone had the great wisdom to buy for my niece as a Xmas present - and I quote: "A little tinted moisturiser and colour on your cheeks will even out and blemishes and make your skin glow ..." DN is 7 FFS.

I think the answer is, as I said earlier, to be the type of role model a son or daughter can look up to and respect. That said, if anyone bought my child that freakin' Hello Kitty book it would be going straight in the bin - the charity shop would be too good for it!

I have seen threads before so will be worth looking. (being helpful not saying 'so don't post). The only one I can recall is bluemilk for blogs.