Girls play outside less than boys even at two years old

If your boys were redirected to some indoor activities or told that they weren't going outside today, they would adjust to this and stop agitating to 'be outside every chance they get'. Children adapt to their circumstances and they adapt what they ask for based on what they have a reasonable expectation of getting. If you were refusing your boys all the time, they'd stop asking because they'd know they weren't going anyhow.

Of course it's parental ignorance. So many people think boys have more energy and, the old tinky laugh MN favourite, "need to be exercised like dogs" whereas girls are naturally inclined to sit quietly and play with their dolls.

i have boys and this makes me wonder how parents would achieve this. My toddlers want to be outside every chance they get. It’s way easier to just open up the door and let them play outside then listening to them moan or whinge to go outside. Are parents of girls just handing them dolls and saying no when child looks to go outside.

I don't disagree with you, but I also feel the need to add here that I can climb a wall in a ball gown, and have done more than once...

I feel like there is a story here that I need to know.

I'm not so sure about this. People used to be much more active in fairly normal clothes.

I think exercise clothes are often about wanting to sell people more stuff.

What a role model! Looking forward to your autobiography, thinly disguised as a racy roman-à-clef

@Morwenscapacioussleeves I don't disagree with you, but I also feel the need to add here that I can climb a wall in a ball gown, and have done more than once...

It's gender stereotyping making people more cautious with small girls & ridiculous clothing decisions based on how important it is for girls to be visually appealing.

I think clothing choices are a huge issue. I have never forgotten something Katy Bowmen said about the fact we have separate "exercise" clothes shows the rest of our clothes aren't designed for moving. I've been in clothes I can deep squat in ever since & my children's clothes were always chosen for movement - if they couldn't climb a tree in it I didn't choose it for everyday.

i see primary girls in utterly useless shoes all the time.

She writes about clothing choices for kids here https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/make-sure-their-clothes-are-recess-ready/

It's hardly news though?

Decades ago they showed how parents treat baby boys and girls differently- girls stopped from doing things that boys are encouraged to do - so why be surprised that they behave differently ? Even how babies are carried - boys more likely looking out than girls -

My granddaughter's school recently held a one day event to take the children out on the roads and the neighbourhood on their bikes. The class are 9/10 years old. I was surprised at how many couldn't ride a bike, or who could not ride one well. Many had to to go out and buy a bicycle in order to take part at all.

My granddaughter was riding a bicycle without stabilisers at 4 years old. Climbing trees; rock climbing; digging holes in the sand at the local beach - wind, rain or shine. So many children are now exclusively 'entertained' indoors or at indoor themed play centres.

Mothers can and do teach ball skills too; especially if they have been sporty and physically active themselves.

Unfortunately, there do seem to be too many mothers who exercise too much caution around their daughters when in play grounds etc - and the girly clothing doesn't help, either.......I've lost count of the times i've seen parents instruct girls ( but also boys too) not to get their clothes/new trainers and so on dirty

Based on my own experiences, I was often cold so hated going outdoors. DB had long trousers and closed shoes. I had a knee-length skirt, lacy socks, and T-bar shoes. I used to get wet feet if it was raining.

I think it's got everything to do with fathers thinking it's important that their sons start to develop motor skills, ball control, and so on at an early age, and their daughters... not so much.

@OuterSpaceCadet teenage I could understand what you're saying, but I'm thinking more 6-10 year olds, I don't think those insecurities have set by my those ages surely? I don't remember being intimidated by groups of boys until high school plus. My nieces happily go play in the park but they go supervised so won't be out as much as my boys are.

There have been studies showing that older girls can feel intimidated in outdoor play areas.

Think of your typical skate park. There's often a posse of lads sat at the top of the ramp. It takes a very brave teenage girl to want to use it.

This. I love dresses, think they look fab, but I have now decided that unless something really stands out, I'm not buying another dress.

Having flappy fabric around your legs is just not conducive to movement. Neither are uncomfortable jeans or trousers, but skirts - definitely no.

No one in their right mind let's a two year old play unsupervised. The article is about children as young as two and the difference between how they are treated.

To think boys aren't targeted by predators is dangerously naive.

People aren't sending two-year-old boys out to play unsupervised but keeping their two-year-old girls at home for fear of sexual assult. This might be a factor for much older children but I don't see how it can be a "major" part.

Concerns about sex offenders, particularly as women and girls make up the vast majority of those targeted by offenders, will have a major part to play in this.

I live in an Indian area of the UK and both boys and girls rarely play outside unless at school or for a specific day out. It feeds into a wider theme of lack of exercise / fresh air becoming ingrained in our cultures from infancy.

It's stereotypes. Has anyone ever watched that clip where they switch the babies/toddlers clothes and watch how people play with them.

Eta

It might explain why girls do better at school in the academic sense, but it's not great for their self-confidence and sense of derring-do.

ETA The whole thing used to really annoy me. 'Boys will be boys!' said the simpering mother, as her young son shoved his way past my DDs in the queue for the flume.... What does teach the boy, and the girls?

Hmm interesting, not sure about the younger ages but definately notice more boys in the park on their own than girls, I wonder if parents of boys feel more comfortable letting them play out independently at a young age? I have boys and have let them play out for a while, not sure if I'd feel differently with girls.

You see it on here all the time "I've got boys, they're never still." All children love running around and playing.

I agree. All the "only boy mums understand how muddy and wild toddlers/young children can be".

Nauseating.

As for the outdoors, girls clothes are often less convenient for outdoor play

This is very true. My DDs (5&2) have always worn thicker joggers from the "boys" section because the girls' clothes seemed to be more thin leggings.

Of course it's parental ignorance. So many people think boys have more energy and, the old tinky laugh MN favourite, "need to be exercised like dogs" whereas girls are naturally inclined to sit quietly and play with their dolls.