kim147
I understand what you mean, but I have to disagree. I grew up in the 70's when longish hair was very common on boys. Maybe that's why I don't like it now, now that I think about it.
I just honestly don't like it. I suppose I do like quite "masculine" looking men, though I can think of some that I find really attractive although they don't seem typically masculine-looking to me. I'm thinking of Wentworth Miller in Prison Break, a fine specimen!
I also really liked Sawyer in Lost, Josh something , his surname evades me at the moment. He had quite long hair on Lost but conversely, I really liked him because he WAS very masculine.
That doesn't mean I think boys should be macho. Not at all. I encourage my 2 DS to be loving and affectionate and to cry if they want/need to. I never say oh be brave or don't cry. I pick them up and cuddle them, comfort them.
I teach them to express their feelings and I acknowledge their feelings, eg I will say, "you're feeling very frustrated and cross right now, aren't you?"
I've been told by their nursery and school teachers that they have a very extensive vocabulary, and understanding. My 5yr old will tell me about a bad dream, for example, and will say, "oh mummy, I was so anxious in my dream".
I don't believe in gender-stereotyping, I think boys particularly need to be encouraged to express their feelings and be able to talk. The rate of suicide among young men is very high. I'm very conscious of that and that's one of the reasons why I make sure my DS know how to express themselves, and to feel happy being cuddled and loved.
But I still don't like long hair on boys haha!!!!