To not be bothered if son likes football

[rosedahlialily]

I’m pregnant with my first baby, due in June and it’s a boy. Ever since DH’s family found out I’ve been inundated with the question ”Will you get him to play football?” alongside comments around how football is the best thing you can get a little boy into, will he support X team etc.

I just don’t get it at all. I didn’t grow up around football and DH is the anomaly in that he was forced to play/go to games but hated it. We have no interest in introducing football to future son but family seems to be obsessed with the idea.
Sports are obviously great for health/ socialising etc, but why football and not tennis or any other sport!? I just know as soon as they meet him they will gift us a baby football kit. They arnt even a mad football family they just quite traditional and think that a boy must love football. Am I missing something!?

Heavens sake, how weird are they he isn't even here yet. Time will tell what his interests are.
People can also change their interests.
They don't stay fixed.
Might like footy as a child but drop it when they are older
I know someone that did.

I hope he is here.

He was due 8 months ago.

There are so many sports and things that can interest young ones (other than their phones) with my youngest DS & DD both having an interest in coaching which improves their interaction and maturity with others, which is plain to see at the end of season football presentations.

Neither of my DC are bothered about football and I probably would have gently discouraged it - I don't want to be stood about cold fields ridiculously early on a weekend morning and it seems to be quite competitive and not as fun as other sports - sure this depends on the area/team but my friends with DC into football seem to have a big commitment to it and lots of upset over team selections etc and no space/time for the DC to have other interests.

That would annoy me on so many levels.

The sexism that because it's a boy he must like football.

I am just so morally opposed to football as well. The violence, sexism, racism, and I could go on, but why would anyone want to be involved with something that has such an revolting culture associated with it. To encourage involvement in a pastime that increases domestic abuse... Absolutely wild. I would find it so offensive if I had a baby and someone bought it a football kit.

Then you hear about kids teams where parents are shouting at refs, coaches are shouting at children because they aren't playing properly. Absolutely delightful.

I raised a boy, who is grown up now. Football just isn't in our lives. Never had been. 99% of the time it just doesn't exist.

DHs family sound a nightmare. What a weird thing to bang on about before baby is even born and can't possibly express and preferences for things. Far better to let children develop their hobbies and interests on what they actually like and are drawn to.

Fucking tennis?

I don't follow football but like that DS plays casually. It's great for making friends. On holiday in Spain last year, he was playing with some local boys. They called him "Ingles"

I agree with the PPs about football being useful for boys socially. My son (aged 10) has never liked it, he used to go to training and was part of a team for a little while a few years ago (mainly so he was able to join in with a kick about) but it's the only club he's ever not wanted to carry on. Which is fine, I have no interest in it either, hehas other hobbies BUT the majority of boys in his year play it every breaktime and he's not involved at all. In younger years it wasn't as much of an issue, he played with girls a lot but last year they suddenly all seemed to mature and he had a year of not really fitting anywhere. He's now got a little group of (boy) mates who aren't into football either but this has taken until yr5 with the same kids since nursery.

So as much as I hate the gender stereotypes and your in-laws attitude would really grate on me, it is unfortunately quite a useful thing for boys to be into.

How weird 😂 I got a lot of rugby related comments when I had my son because he was (is!) v big for his age and I’m very into my rugby, but the situation you describe is just odd! And they’re not even football mad themselves? Strange. Just shrug it off I guess, they’re probably just saying something for the sake of saying something!