to think this is unnecessary gender stereotyping?

[AnnieLobeseder]

Was walking home from school run today with another mum and two sons in front of me. They called goodbyes to friends who were heading off in a different direction, and the smallest of her boys (not school age, prob 3-4) called out "I love you X" to his friend.

Mum called him up on this as we walked on. She told him that boys aren't allowed to say they love each other. And that he should say "you're a good friend" or similar instead. The boy responded, all confused, "But I do love him, Mummy!"

Is she just a perpetuator of gender stereotyping, or maybe thinking of the future when her boys might be teased for saying something like that to a friend.

I can't for the life of me think why 4yo boys shouldn't be able to express their love for their friends. Or older boys either.

YANBU

Have 4 boys 8,6,4,2 and I totally get your point. However I do think to avoid teasing the mum has pulled him on this. She maybe could have put it to him a bit better is all.

YANBU. That boy is going to have some issues.

'You're not allowed to tell someone you love them'...

YANBU - he's only 4 yrs old max, ffs !!! the mother should make the most of his innocent display of affection for a peer. It won't be long before he recoils even from her when she wants to kiss him at the school gate! [jaded emotcion]

It really does make me sad when boys showing any kind of emotion towards each other, or liking pink, or liking dolls is so often seen as threatening. For a start, it's not going to make them gay. And secondly, who care if they are gay anyway? Where is there this constant thread of homophobia through 'masculine' behaviour?

In some ways, we girls really do have it easier. At least we are allowed to display masculine or feminine behaviours freely.

my boys are teenagers and they are always declaiming their love for both female and male friends all over facebook. They hug a male friend and lust after the female ones.

YANBU. that's outrageous. boys and men in other cultures can express their affection freely. It warms my heart to see my 2.5 year old have bear hugs and kisses with his best friend.