Today people are more conscious about what they say and more considerate about what they think. Having grown up in a home where “gay jokes” were the norm I was adamant to make sure that my children were more informed and sensitive to the society they’re growing into. Take for example an event Jael and I attended at Jollibee where the theme was Hello Kitty. I had asked Jael if he wanted to go and he said sure. I even described the event to him telling him the theme was mostly for girls but he was welcome to join and he said he’d like to.
When we got to the event, he wasn’t at all shy or embarrassed. In fact, when the games were being played he even joined not being bothered that most of the participants were girls. Looking back I think it was because I myself tried not to be focused on gender norms. Blue for boys and pink for girls and the like. So I was really impressed to see Jael comfortable in a setting that was so obviously set up for girls yet keeping his self in tact without any embarrassment.
When we watched Wonder Woman, I loved loved loved the fact that he looked up to this superhero. He wasn’t looking at her gender but at her power and what she could do. He admired her strength and her grace. He even wanted to get some Wonder Woman cuffs because he liked the power they had of warding off bad guys.
To some this might be an opener to tease him saying that he might want to be a Wonder Woman himself and what not. This is what I want to teach my kids that male and females are equal having the capacity to both be strong and smart. That in no way does it defer to their sexual preference if they were admire the opposite sex in ways that a boy or a girl don’t normally admire them for.
Do I wonder what Jael’s sexuality is? No, I don’t. He’s a normal, growing and healthy boy that likes action movies yet appreciates drama. He’s not ashamed to say what he feels and that even extends to the girl he likes in class.
Hopefully, one day we go beyond these “norms” and accept people for who they are. Allow people to freely express themselves and be proud of who they are.
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Wow sana lahat ganyan katulad po ninyo. Ako po 2boys ang anak ko at ang panganay ko naman napakafeminine kung gumalaw siguro kasi puro babae kalaro nya tapos ako madalas na kasama. Kaya minsan sa school nila inaasar syang gay. Kahit hindi naman ganoon ung anak ko minsan masakit din sa akin un dahil madalas syang magsabi sa akin na tinutukso nga sya. Kaya minsan sinasabihan ko sya na ayusin nya minsan ang galaw nya para di sya asarin. Pero di naman talaga gay ganun lang talaga sya kumilos parang babae
Only us moms can understand our children and as long as we support them openly it’ll be okay. 🙂
I love how you raise your kid to love and respect one another, regardless of their gender! This is srsly the best post I’ve seen today, it makes me so happy!
Aw glad he had a great time! Hello Kitty is so fun
He sounds like a very special boy and you are raising him right! I agree that gender norms should not be pushed in today’s society.
I love this <3 it is so important to teach our children and youth that they can be who they want and experience what they want, gender stereotypes make me so angry. I purposely will buy my niece blues and greens as they look fantastic on her and I would hate her to grow up to think that only pink is an acceptable colour to wear. Kudos to you momma for raising such a well rounded child .
Wow! Mommy Lou, this article just made me do a quick self check lols! We (husband and I) usually jokingly tell our 3 boys, if they cry ocer the simplest reason, like hey… you’re like a girl.. and I think this somewhat contributes to them being “shy” when they’re around girls.. boo to me and husband.. but well it’s not too late for corrections right? —
Hi Liza! Don’t give yourself a hard time! It’s the way we were brought up din but the important thing is that we realize now that it should be avoided. 🙂