Becky came up to me and said, "Look mom, I'm frong. Frong like a boy."(That's STRONG for those of you unversed in Becky. And this is her "frong" face.)
She said, "And look, I can jump like a boy. I am like a boy."
Now, I am not a big women's libber...I know my capabilities and I have total confidence in my ability to do whatever I set my mind to. But I don't think that men and women have to be exactly alike to be equal. I think that men and women are different but still equal...and thank goodness for that.
BUT what she said really got to me and I can't even begin to think where she got the idea that to be strong, or to jump, or to do anything else that she needed to be like a boy. In fact, I felt so strongly about it that I sat her down and talked to her about how she could do whatever she wanted AND be a girl.
I know it's silly to get all up in arms about this...she's only three.
I guess it's just my "frong" side coming out!
I'm with you, Denise. That would bug me too! Way to go on the pep talk!
ReplyDeleteI hear you there. I'm quick to stop all stereotypes. I think that there are plenty of men who do women's work better then women and vice versa... bu twe take fairly traditional roles at our house. I am fast to point out to my kids though, that many parents choose to do it a different way.
ReplyDeleteDenise you're right - "equal" does NOT equate to "alike", something that both sexes need to remember as we celebrate our differences. Personally, I'd take feminine strength over male "brute" force ANY day - men are wimps when it comes to the truly important things :)
ReplyDeleteGood Job! I think we all could do better when referring to our boys as "strong" and our girls as "pretty". Kids pick this stuff up! I think it's great to get a kick out these moments but to also use them as teaching moments!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I love those teachable moments!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was a frong as Becky
ReplyDelete