Do you think there are double standards raising boys versus girls?

1. 68

   BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years ago

   Do you think there are double standards raising boys versus girls?

   replyreport
2. 73

   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   I don't think there are "double standards". However I do believe there has always been and continues to be "gender indoctrination" where parents raise or prepare their girls to become future mothers and dream about being a "princess" AKA (bride) someday. The girls are given their own baby dolls to nurture, push in strollers, Easy -bake ovens to bake cakes and cookies, toy vacuum cleaners, tea sets, Ken and Barbie's dollhouse with furnishings...etc. The bulk of their toys have to do with subconsciously planting a seed of being a nurturer and responsible care giver.
   Little boys on the other hand are not encouraged to pretend to be "fathers", nor dream of being a prince/husband, or play with toys which emulate adult "household" responsibilities. Instead boys are given water pistols, remote control cars/boats/planes, toys/games to compete with their friends, anything with bright colored lights and noise. Traditionally boys have more of a "self centered" childhood.
   Having said that many girls are forced into early maturity as young as age 11 once they start having periods and their breast begin to develop. There is nothing equivalent to that in a young boy's childhood or pre-teen years.
   Much of the "gender indoctrination" is designed to have both sexes behave and develop as heterosexuals starting with the blue blankets for boys and the pink blankets for girls. Not many fathers would want their son pushing a baby doll in a stroller or changing a dolls diapers. And yet in marriages today men are expected do so with their own children.

   replyreport
   1. 95

      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I always love your answers! All very true!

      replyreport
   2. 73

      dashingscorpioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      peeples, Thanks for your wonderful compliment! :-)

      replyreport
   3. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is really spot on.  The gender indoctrination scenario and drama continues...Little girls are thoroughly indoctrinated into being wives and mothers from very early childhood, so sad indeed!  Little boys are more encouraged to develop themselves!

      replyreport
3. 68

   BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years ago

   I hadn't thought of gender indoctrination. I had in the back of my mind TEENS. I didn't say that of course.  As if you all could read my mind!
   
   Oh, sure, we do assign genders to a degree. But I'll have you know my son had the "Joey" doll.  Remember that?  The first anatomically correct boy doll?  My daughters also played with cars! 
   
   But really, I was thinking in the back of my mind
   
   Do we let teen boys get away with more than out teen girls?  Later curfew, less strict in general?
   
   Great answers. It proves writing and reading are in the eyes of the beholder!

   replyreport
   1. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Certainly do!  Teen boys are encouraged to have more sexual license than teen girls in some societies and cultures.  In some cultures and societies, teen girls have a more restrictive and prohibitive dating code!

      replyreport
   2. 0

      CalebSparksposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The reason you hadn't thought of so-called "gender indoctrination" is because it's the same thing as letting boys be boys and girls be girls. The fact is the that only women can be mothers and men can be fathers...what's indoctrinating about that?

      replyreport
   3. 73

      dashingscorpioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      CalebSparks, You missed my point regarding "gender indoctrination". Boys are NOT encouraged to (pretend) to be "fathers or husbands" during their childhood! Girls on the other hand ARE encouraged to (pretend) to be "mothers and wives".

      replyreport
   4. 0

      CalebSparksposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I believe my comments were directed toward BuffaloGal's response.

      replyreport
4. 75

   CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years ago

   This goes on in to adulthood.
   I was gardening, barefooted, as I like to feel the earth move between my toes.
   
   A female relative drove by and saw me "playing" in my garden and enjoying the beautiful day.  The first thing out of her mouth was, "you need to let your husband do that, that's his job.  Why don't you find something to do in the house like clean or laundry?"
   
   Sad, but true.

   replyreport
   1. 68

      BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was raised that gardening was everyone's job who wanted to eat.  I've not heard that gender opinion on gardening. Some people just love to garden!  Or maybe I'm a tomboy?  lol

      replyreport
5. 63

   deecoleworldposted 11 years ago

   Saw this below my question on gender double standards and I thought it will be fun to comment, Yes I do think there are double standards raising boys versus girls. A double standard is "a rule or principle that is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups,"  I also agree that there is a gender indoctrination too, but I think there is both (gender indoctrination and double standards going on when raising boys and girls. Yes girls are indoctrinated to be the princess and there is grooming for them to be mothers and wives, while as boys are indoctrinated to be strong, tough, doers, go-getters, and providers.
   Girls like yellow or pink, play with dolls, taught to cook, do laundry, focus on appearance to get that dashing prince charming. While boys like green or blue, play with trucks and cars, and are waiting for there chance to save their princess.
   Even so, there are also double standards, especially in my own  experiences, growing up with brothers and a sister. I have a little brother, and he was allowed to stay out later than me with the premise that as a boy he can protect himself better then I can (logical argument but still) Between my brothers and my father, they can trade sexual jokes and share past sexual adventures together in a moment of bonding and understanding. They were allowed to express their sexuality openly without fear of being judged. If I ever were to talk about these things, especially to my father I would surely be and have been looked down upon and my moral character judged as flawed. They always expected me (but mostly my mom) to do the dishes and clean and cook, and if that can't be done, another judgement based on my moral character and my position/usefulness as a woman. BTW I am not trashing my dad or brothers (I love them dearly) and I grew up in a loving and nurturing home, but these double standards existed and still exist.
   Another thing is appearance, my mom always encouraging me to keep my appearance up (beyond common hygiene practices), while my father didn't say much about my brothers and their need to keep theirs up. He did suggested these things to me and my sister, along with my mother.
   I would say especially how it is ingrained in a woman to know how to cook, do laundry and clean. These are both common things that both genders have to learn and know how to do as adults, but it is groom more into a woman because one day she will be a mother and HAVE to learn these things, really? Not every woman wants to be a mother Anyways thank you!

   replyreport