Before I had kids, I thought that each
child was an individual, and didn't believe much in gender
stereotypes in children. Little boys ran and jumped a lot because
that's the kind of games they were taught. Little girls played with
dolls because that was the kind of toys they were given. I thought
that if all kids, regardless of gender, were exposed to the same
things, they would have the same tendencies. Then I spent some time in
the real world of kids and figured out that I was wrong. Possibly
there were some differences between boys and girls. From time to time, I'm going to share
some of my experiences that led me to this conclusion. However, so as
to not bias you, I'm going to let you guess, who are the boys in the
stories and who are the girls.
Today's Story
Wally was in fifth grade and turning 11
years old. He had a pool party for his birthday at the local YMCA
with both boys and girls. After an hour of swimming, the kids had
pizza and soda. However, it took forever before the refreshments
could be served. We were kept waiting by one group who were in the
bathroom changing and making themselves presentable. Some of the
other group changed out of their wet clothes, but many did
not. When they finally sat down to eat, all of the boys sat at one
end of the table and all of the girls sat at the other end. One group
saw how much pizza they could get into their mouths at once and
laughed as they punched each other. The other group talked about who
they were “dating.”
You decide. Which were the boys and which
were the girls?
________________________________________________________________________________
In case you had any doubts: The boys were the wet
punchers and the girls were the well coiffed ones. It may have been
peer pressure, but there was no mixing between the two. I found it
very interesting that some of the boys that the girls talked about
that they were dating were some of the boys that were at the party.
However, the boys were clueless that they were dating anyone.
In one group of kids that I babysit, there's a 5 year old girl and 5 year old boy -- families are friends. For a couple of years now, the little girl has told anyone who will listen that the little boy is her "boyfriend". The little boy has no idea that's his role.
ReplyDeleteI know that some of this is influenced by society, but not all of it. I was going to marry the boy next door when I was little. But he much preferred playing cops and robbers with me.
DeleteWhen I was little I told everyone I was going to marry my cousin (who's 10 months older than me). I don't think that though ever crossed his mind.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, he's getting married next year (to someone else obviously!)
Does he remember that you thought you were going to marry him
Deletewhen you were little?
Dating, huh? :) Well, I guess I kissed a boy when I was 6 :)
ReplyDeleteIt was funny to hear them talking about dating. Some of them had older sisters, so they were copying what they had heard them talk about. However, the boys were totally clueless.
DeleteThat made me smile - each week I take my girl and boy to swimming classes. One appears red faced and with wet hair all standing up on end, within 5 minutes, the other appears with dry hair, not a strand out of place, 15 minutes later...
ReplyDeleteSo you know the scene that I'm talking about. It was pretty funny to watch.
Delete