Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Feminism: chat

How do I get DS to respect women

26 replies

Halfling · 05/02/2022 11:53

DS 13yo has been caught is school writing a terribly rude note about a girl in his class. This is not the first time, as earlier also I had read an inappropriate text on his phone describing the same girl. We had a long discussion about respecting girls as his equals and not as objects.

In my mind I had handled this well and I am very heartbroken that he is continuing to be so disrespectful. I reeled when I read the note because I did not expect him to use such language about a girl he has been friends with since preschool.

DS goes to a school renowned for discipline and we know most of their friends and their families. I am a proud feminist and my DH is respectful, progressive and a great role model. When I look around, I see no reason why DS should be behaving like this. He does play Fortnite on weekends and this could be a source. I don't know much about gaming but understand it can contribute.

It's my responsibility to shape his values and clearly I am failing. How can I help him reflect on what he is doing and make positive change? Will really appreciate resources, books and personal stories that can help. Thank you.

OP posts:
Moretodo · 12/02/2022 22:17

I got my son to write a piece titled "the man I want to be".
We talked about what he was doing, and if that conduct was going towards the man he wanted to be, or away from that, his values and if he was living them, this type of thing.

I wouldn't come down too hard, for all the factors mentioned, but get him to tap into his own inner resources and strength.

Of course, he might not like this girl, and want to distance himself.
If this is the case, help him work out how he can do that without being nasty.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page