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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Gender Stereotyping in children

6 replies

bigandfluffy · 27/09/2013 15:27

I have two young children, dd 8 and ds 6. They are both loveable, bright, well mannered get on with people (some more than others like everyone else). Something that bothers me though is the attitudes from other adults of gender stereotypes related to both of them. Dd is very tomboyish, chooses boys clothes/characters, plays with toy trucks, also likes girly dresses depending on occassion and mood, goes to brownies, plays netball and football. Ds plays rough with other boys, likes a mixture of (supposedly) boy and girls fashions, adores pink, goes to dancing, plays rugby, I could go on all day but you get the jist. As parents we don't believe in suppressing 'gender inappropriate' behaviour in this day and age and are proud of our dc for being themselves and not caring what tradition dictates. The problem is parents of other children being so negative about them, though this doesn't seem to transfer to their own dc as mine are so adorable in their own ways they can just blend in.

I do draw the line at letting ds wear skirts in public or to school, but aibu to stand my ground in letting children be what they want, within certain boundaries.

OP posts:
CailinDana · 27/09/2013 15:44

In what way are the parents negative?

PedlarsSpanner · 27/09/2013 15:46

Parents of other children are negative about who
?

Also why not wear skirt if he wants in public?

Acksherly, not sure why I am engaging. Hmmm. Is this one of those I am a better parent boasty type threads?

CoffeeTea103 · 27/09/2013 16:03

How do you draw the line at your DS wearing a skirt in public? What makes it ok that he can wear one at home but not to school, then in a way you are agreeing with those people you feel are negative. Dresses are for girls not boys.

Dobbiesmum · 27/09/2013 17:03

Not sure what you're asking really, you're letting your children pursue their own interests and choose their own clothes. Nothing wrong with that at all, you are not being U in the slightest if that's what you're actually asking.
As for other parents, don't give their opinions headspace, it's not worth it. In short : fuck 'em.

SoldAtAuction · 27/09/2013 19:53

What specifically has someone said to you?

LimitedEditionLady · 27/09/2013 19:56

What responses are you looking for?its more like youre making a statement than asking something. If you are already doing what you are doing and you dont feel like changing anything carry on doing it.I may be wrong but are you wanting people to start going off on one saying boys get muddy and girls make tea or something along the lines?

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