When a parent is placed in the care of a child, gender is evaluated and gendered toys are picked. At baby showers, everything is defined by whether it is a girl or boy or getting gender neutral toys and clothing. Kids are given freedom to choose whichever toys they want, but generally within their gender category, or given that they are in the neutral area. Personally I have two nephews who are drawn to at least one of the girly interests: dolls, princess toys, makeup, or girly clothes. Don’t get me wrong, they are perfectly normal about it, only getting chances to enjoy these things without their parents or strict adults around. Given the chance to explore these with a parent who tells them it is okay to play with them, they find great interest and love with playing with these girly toys. As the new generation we are exposed to more open ideas than the conservative ideas of our parents before us. We can be more open-minded about what is interest appropriate instead of just gender appropriate. Remember that the odds are against kids getting the opposite gender gift, but within your grasp to do so. So think, is there something your niece or nephew wants badly that no one else is likely to get them? In a time where the suicides are finally visible, and when boys can still get pressured and harassed for wearing a 'girls' costume on halloween by parents, realizing how damaging gender restrictions can be for a person is vital. Remember that changes dont just start at the school against bullying, we have to change our views and others to ensure hate not to continue. So, why do I bring this up now? Christmas and gift buying is here, therefore, it is within your control to ignore barriers surrounding gender. I do this not only for my nieces and nephews but my own shattered dreams of getting that chemistry set, or pet snake that I wanted when young.
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Kris
I am a Bi+Trans geeky student who is all about Gaming, Music, Drawing, Writing, Anime, Comic books, and Web comics. Categories
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April 2016
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