Why is everyone gushing over Tom Daley knitting?

[EastWestWhosBest]

Man does a thing considered to be female and everyone is losing their minds over how ‘cute’ it is.

I’m a knitter. I enjoyed it being promoted for a younger audience - it wasn’t him being a man but being in his 20s.

I’m all for men knitting and gender stereotypes being broken. What I’ve found to be cloying is the people fawning over him.

@Pumperthepumper

I think it’s great! I wish more men would do stuff like this, it’s challenging toxic masculinity and traditional gender rolls. And I’m not even a Tom Daly fan, good on him.

This.

@Dyrne

Not a fan of the gushing over “cute-ness”; but I also don’t think it’s a bad thing when otherwise stereotypically masculine men are publicly shown to do “feminine” coded things. Hopefully it goes a bit further to chip away at the ridiculous gender stereotypes.

I agree with this, although I also agree it's a bit nauseating (I know those 2 things are at odds with eachother). Something women do and usually get mocked for, man does and aw omg how cute.

I think it’s great! I wish more men would do stuff like this, it’s challenging toxic masculinity and traditional gender roles.

I agree, and I'm not remotely interested in TD. I find it a bit odd when people react to a man doing a traditionally hobby by saying things like "Oh are we supposed to think it's cool now that a man's doing it? Because obviously anything women (especially older women) like is obviously rubbish! " How are we supposed to encourage people to reject sex-based stereotypes about hobbies, jobs etc if not by pointing out good examples of people rejecting those stereotypes?

We should probably also be thankful that nobody seems to be suggesting that TD is obviously a woman because he likes knitting.

I can't get footage of the Olympics from where I am. How are Tom's eyebrows looking?

I'm not remotely interested in patting TD on the back (and didn't know about the surrogacy until this thread). I'm interested in people seeing that knitting is for everyone.

Grand. Can't say I'm particularly invested in promoting knitting from a feminist perspective, but I'm more than a little pissy about misogynist Olympians at the moment, so please excuse my lack of enthusiasm.

(Not a personal dig, btw, I'm just really, really hacked off with the shite today)

@lazylinguist

I'm not remotely interested in patting TD on the back (and didn't know about the surrogacy until this thread). I'm interested in people seeing that knitting is for everyone.

There are plenty of men who knit now, I've been in knitting and crochet groups for years and there have always been blokes, and people tend to take the mick out of all of us under 80 regardless of biological sex. I agree that gender stereotypes are a load of crap, not sure knitting is something that's particularly causing a lot of issues. It's interesting though that man sat doing a craft activity millions of people do is being lauded by some as breaking down harmful stereotypes, yet women doing so proves a million times harder. As men are the default it's always oh well women should be able to do x, y or z, nought remarkable about that.

@lazylinguist

I'm not remotely interested in patting TD on the back (and didn't know about the surrogacy until this thread). I'm interested in people seeing that knitting is for everyone.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of TD on this board, if you want an answer to the question posed by the thread, this is the answer.

Most people just see an athlete who won a gold medal after many years of trying and likes knitting.

Do women get slated for knitting any more though? Maybe it’s just the circles I hang around in, but crafty stuff is quite popular with the young’uns now isn’t it? Knitting hasn’t been seen as a “granny” thing for years afaik.

@Dyrne

Do women get slated for knitting any more though? Maybe it’s just the circles I hang around in, but crafty stuff is quite popular with the young’uns now isn’t it? Knitting hasn’t been seen as a “granny” thing for years afaik.

I wouldnt say heavily slated, but most groups I've been in have had unsavoury comments- not arsed though. Crochet is more popular with young people now, knitting still invites ridiculous comments, if you apply for a job in tech though its worth a mention.

I didn't know he was a supporter of men invading women's sports. Or buying babies. Still I worry about the lad. Knitting and crochet are dangerous hobbies nowadays. Hope he isn't sucked into a 'purity spiral '.

It’s going to be pretty lonely on that hill if you’re waiting for someone perfect to start challenging any kind of gender role.

You can feel free to laud him for his great strides in promoting knitting equality, and I'll feel equally free to be completely unimpressed with his attitude towards women. I'm sure we'll both have a useful impact on women's lives by focusing on what's important to us in that sphere. Go well.