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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Gender Bias Question..
So my son is a year he LOVES only Dora (Not Diego, I tried); I bought him a Dora book and a Dora beach towel and he loves those two things so much. I wanted to buy him a Dora doll but everyone I talk to thinks its the worst idea in the world if he were to carry his doll out in public. My mother in particular is against it because he likes to brush his hair or put my headbands on his head and say "Pretty".. she thinks I'm trying to make him into a "girl"
I'm kind of torn on what to do.
I was just wondering what everyones views are on it & if you have let your sons play with dolls or do other things that are considered "girly".
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Re: Gender Bias Question..
My DS loves to feed the baby dolls at daycare. I got him a boy baby doll so he can have a baby to play with that my husband would approve of (well, or at least he can put up with it). I love that DS gives kisses constantly, hugs and kisses all his stuffed animals, and is gentle with babies.
If he likes Dora, get him Dora. Other than your family's annoying comments, the only other thing that may get old is people maybe assuming he is a girl? For whatever reason, people are idiots and still thing DS is a girl when he is wearing something with trucks on it.
You post makes me LOL. I think it's very cute that he's so into Dora. It's totally normal. Little boys don't understand that they aren't "supposed" to like dolls or Dora or whatever. Let him have his fun.
Finn has gone through phases where he was obsessed with (in no particular order) my makeup, baby dolls, the color pink, having his cousin's barrettes in his hair and (my personal favorite) a pink hand-me-down Care Bear that had to go everywhere with us and said things like "A CARE-IFFIC DAY IS HEADED YOUR WAY!!!" very loudly when squeezed. I can't count the number of side-eyes that thing got us. All of it passed, and right now he's obsessed with dump trucks, bulldozers and dinosaurs. Tomorrow it might be Cinderella. Who knows? Who cares?
My baby brother used to paint his toenails with my mom and sisters (blue, because that's for BOYS, lol.) He was also in figure skating until he got big enough for hockey. He played with Barbies and dolls and wore my sisters' dress up clothes. So far, it doesn't appear like it's damaged him for life. In fact, now he is a stereotypical boy. On the other hand, my parents tried to push the girly girl thing on me. I wanted to play hockey, they said "no that's for boys." Made me wear dresses every day until 3rd grade. Curled and braided my hair. etc. etc. and I turned out to be a tomboy for most of my childhood and didn't get "girly" again until I was 17.
Letting your child explore their interests or refusing to because of gender roles is not going to determine your child's sexuality or personality. So why not let them have fun with the things they like? It's really, really not going to hurt him.
Honestly, I don't see the big deal with it. I think people that have issue with these type of things are.... odd. While I was a nanny, one of the little boys (he only had an older sister) wanted to dress up like Cinderella, and the dad totally freaked out. He immediately bought him a bunch of trucks and "boyish" videos. No joke.
I bought DD an Iron Man t-shirt. She loves it. She also has a little t-shirt with a vintage Ford Mustang on it. It is definitely a boys shirt, but I don't care, she totally loves it.
My brothers both had Cabbage Patch dolls when they were little. I promise they don't paint their nails or wear pink now.
Agreed with hewinked. I think the double standard is ridiculous. I dont keep DD from playing with cars or buzz lightyear b/c it will make her boyish! Dumb. I have a quite a few friends who buy their boys dolls, its not a big deal.
ETA: I dont mean to sound like I'm calling you dumb BTW, just the double standard thing!
I think people are pretty stupid when they worry about these kind of things (no offense to your mom). I'd have no problem with Adam carrying around a girl doll.
I'd ask them what exactly they're worried about. It's not like you can really make him into a girl. He's a toddler. He doesn't know boy vs girl yet.
Do it! And I'll finally cave and buy DS a baby doll stroller.
I've been struggling over it. He loves pushing the pinkest girliest stollers (ever notice they are all pink?) when we're at Pottery Barn Kids and I know he would love it but am hesitant to do it. DH and I agreed we'll buy him one if it's not pink and then he can put his trucks and robots in it.