There is a big difference between raising a genderless child and raising a child free of gender stereotypes. I would hope and aim to raise Blondie Boy free of gender stereotypes.
He's too young to make decisions based on stereotypes now himself and I won't force or allow others to force stereotypes on him. If he wants to play with what society tells us are "boy's toys", so be it, and if he wants to play with what society tells us are "girl's toys", then that's fine too. We don't think about gender when we buy him toys and, to be honest, I'm pretty sure he has more pink tops than he does blue.
If when he's old enough to ask for gifts and ask for a Disney princess dress-up outfit he is more than welcome to it, but in the same way I'm not going to buy him a tutu just in case. Children should be free to be who they are and play what they want to play with without society telling them they are right or wrong.
We've visited a friend's house and Blondie Boy decided he wanted to push around a pink baby doll pram; my friend chuckled "what would NotBlondeHusband say if he saw that." He wouldn't care. She replied her husband wouldn't be happy if it was her son. Now if her husband's disapproval was real or just for show I don't know. What is so offensive about a boy pushing a pink baby pram? Would it be as offensive if it was a little girl playing football?
Anyone who knows me will know that I love make-up, the color pink, ribbons, glitter and baking; but I'm adult and those are things I've chosen to like. Do they fall into gender stereotypes of women? Yes. NotBlondeHusband will also point out that I don't ever cook and I rate burps on a 5 point scale: things that you'd probably pin as male gender stereotypes.
Blondie Boy loves to sing and dance, cuddle stuffed animals, play with cars, build towers, read books, climb, run, colour and a whole other host of things. I don't see any of these as being things he should or shouldn't do because he's a boy--these are just things he likes to do and I will always support and encourage his interests.
I'm not suggesting you need to encourage your children to rebel against gender stereotypes, but what I am saying is if my child chooses to rebel against what society says is normal I will support him. Our DNA doesn't tell us what is suitable for boys and for girls, it is society that creates cultural norms and correct me if I'm wrong but culture isn't always right.
So I'm proud my little boy shakes his booty to Lady Gaga and equally as proud of the massive Duplo towers he builds. He's my little boy and I'm happy as long as he is being himself.
Gender Roles
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