to think that boys and girls aren't that different really, it's just our perception

[blindmelon]

This struck me over the bank holidays, watching family reactions to my DD and DNephew, who are a similar age (3 and 2.5). For example:

DD runs about like a loon, jumping on and off the trampoline, doing roly-polys etc. Comments: 'Ooh she's so flexible! You should send her to gymnastics/ballet'

DN does the same: 'Ahh, boys are so physical aren't they? So rough and tumbe. He's a real boy!'

DD lets my niece dress her up in a fairy outfit: 'Ahh, little girls love dressing up don't they? Ahh, she's so pretty'

DN puts his big sister's pink shoes on: 'haha, poor thing having a big sister, he's just copying what she does'

DD has a bit of a strop: 'Ooh, she's a bit of a diva isn't she? What will she be like as a teenager? Haha'

DN has a bit of a strop: 'little boys are so agressive aren't they?'

In actual fact they are both just being toddlers, surely? I'm so sick of all the gender stereotyping I hear... boys love their mummies, girls love pink, boys are aggressive, girls love their daddies. They are all just kids with different personalities.

Yanbu.
More differences in personality than gender before puberty. And even then personalities can still have a big influence.
Or so it seems ime (3boys, 6 girls and a variety of their friends)

Mercibucket - My daughter wont sit still and she never stops but I think she learnt that off me as I am the same personality. Working with lots of children you soon realise they are all different. I have worked with girls that never stop and boys that just sit down colouring for hours and hours. That goes from me working with nursery children all the way up to age 13.

I like the sound of that book, will give it a try, thanks!

I too get annoyed when things only come in either blue or pink. I've also noticed it's only since starting preschool DD has said things like blue is for boys, pink is for girls.

Interesting what someone said about girls and boys doing different things with the toys though... DD loves her trainset but the trains are always going on a trip to grandma's house or helping each other when they break down so it is more roleplay than anything else.

But then mercibucket, DD is very physical and hates quiet sit down puzzles like jigsaws, while 2 little boys I know will spend ages sitting quietly in the corner doing puzzles.

I like the sound of that book, will give it a try, thanks!

I too get annoyed when things only come in either blue or pink. I've also noticed it's only since starting preschool DD has said things like blue is for boys, pink is for girls.

Interesting what someone said about girls and boys doing different things with the toys though... DD loves her trainset but the trains are always going on a trip to grandma's house or helping each other when they break down so it is more roleplay than anything else.

But then mercibucket, DD is very physical and hates quiet sit down puzzles like jigsaws, while 2 little boys I know will spend ages sitting quietly in the corner doing puzzles.

I agree with you, I think it is mostly learned behaviour up till secondary school, after that I don't know. Probably a lot of it is taking on society's expectations but I don't know how much of it is

Gah, sorry on blackberry while BF, it keeps randomnly double posting!

Gah, sorry on blackberry while BF, it keeps randomnly double posting!

YADNBU.