Little girls should play with dolls and like the color pink. Little boys should play with cars and like the color blue. Is that what society dictates us to follow? If we don’t, are we outcasts? Taboo? Abnormal?
With my children, I am trying to do away with stereotypes and labeling.
I don’t consider it unladylike of my eldest to dream of being a scientist and to watch videos studying dinosaurs.
I didn’t make a big deal when my son got curious about Barbie dolls.
They’re free to explore and to satisfy their curiosities. I don’t wish to put up a fence and hinder their wide-eyed wonder. I don’t want them to lose their identities just because something they like is not according to what people expect of them.
Made by Raffi is one such book that tackles the issue of boys (or girls) being teased for liking something that’s considered different from the stereotypical ones.
About the book: Raffi is a shy boy who doesn’t like noisy games and is often teased at school. But when he gets the idea of making a scarf for his dad’s birthday, he is full of enthusiasm even though the other children think it is girly to knit. Then the day draws near for the school pageant, and there is one big problem: no costume for the prince. And that’s when Raffi has his most brilliant idea of all — to make a prince’s cape. On the day of the pageant, Raffi’s cape is the star of the show.
– from the author’s site, craigpomranz.com/made-by-raffi
The premise of this story is empowering to children who face peer pressure. With love and support from Raffi’s parents, he decided to ignore his classmates and continue with his hobby of choice, however unpopular. I do wish to be like his parents and not let society dictate what my children should like, wear and act. Just according to godly principles, so they could live out their purposes.
In the book, the problem of having no costume for the prince didn’t come up as urgently as I had expected. I also imagined the children onstage, on the day of the pageant, the cape shining, since it was said to be the star of the show. But, the scene wasn’t depicted. Although, the cape was really neat and made incredibly well.
Even with these discrepancies in details, I still like the book and I would read it to my children, just to reinforce that it’s okay to be different and like different things. People may not agree with their choices, but what matters is that they aren’t hurting anyone, they genuinely enjoy them, and that they help others with these passions.
Do you or do your kids like something that is frowned upon by society? How do you deal with it?
Note: I was provided with this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book shows that being positive is great, being creative is cool, and each person has no right to judge anyone if he does something that is not dictated by culture or society. It’s okay to be different as long as you are not hurting anyone especially yourself.
SJ Valdez (All-Around Pinay Mama) recently posted..Maya Chocolate Cake with Buttermilk Sauce
So far wala pa naman kay James since he’s too baby to be judged by society pa but I agree. Now that I am a mom, I don’t want my son to feel that he can’t do such things because other people would think isn’t normal.
Like you, I also let my daughter explore all the things she’s interested in. Would you believe she wanst to take taekwondo lessons?
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted..Passion Fruit and Basil Cordial
Wow! Really? That’s cool for self-defense!
This is really good. I try to avoid it as well with my son but sometimes, I feel like he really is swayed to be on the other side of things though to be honest, I don’t see what the big deal is if he is fond of things not meant for girls.
Now, I really wanted to read this book!
I have two daughters, one is really feminine in every aspect while the other is more on the boyish side. Although I try to let them explore, I sometimes cannot help set some limitations as I know that environment likewise plays a very important role in developing one’s personality. 🙂
Interesting story book. Yeah, I have pretty unconventional kids myself. Our middle son keeps zig zagging towards the Sylvanian Family display at toy stores to stare at the doll house. Haha.
He appreciates good workmanship of toys! Ganda kaya! 🙂
I also believe that children should be given the freedom to play what they want to play, regardless of what gender society associates those toys with. I couldn’t control the environment though; my mom once commented, “That’s for boys!” when my daughter played with my little Volkswagen toy. We also don’t have Barbie dolls at home (except the ones that my niece has) because I rarely buy toys for the daughter. The ones we do have were all given by godparents and they are all gender-neutral (blocks, etc). I do plan on getting that toy power tools set from Daiso but I guess I’m the one who fell in love with it. Hahaha!
Pam / Hey, Miss Adventures! recently posted..Happy Friday! $200 Blogger Appreciation Giveaway Hosted By Mother Daughter Book Reviews!
My 10 year old son loves to cook but I don’t take it differently, there are male chefs around like chef Boy Logro. I just want him to know himself and have self confidence.
CraftyMom recently posted..Enter to Win: Be a Segurista Mom and win 50,000 pesos
Peer pressure is one of the reasons why alot of kids are unhappy. I’m glad there are children’s stories that address the fact that it is ok to be different and unique.
Paulline @ milastolemyheart recently posted..Mila Went to: Food & Drinks Asia 2014
My son hasn’t shown behavior that society would question.. yet. But I’m pretty sure he will when he gets older, and I want to be encouraging towards what he chooses to explore. Although like Cheanne mentioned, there are grandparents and old fashioned relatives who won’t be too excited about it.
Awww, I was actually smiling while reading this post and the premise of the book, Cym! I love how there are more people who encourage children to go beyond what society dictates. In our case, sometimes, I have Yuri wear clothes that some people think should be for girls lang (like leggings? why???) and we have princess books, too!
Maan recently posted..My Expo Mom 2014 Experience
Interesting book! I agree on stereotyping and labeling.
Que Sullano – Gavan recently posted..She Likes Shoes: There’s Always Room for One More!
Like you mommy, I let my children do what they want. Just like my eldest son, his into science and spent his time building robots, reading books and playing video game. He prefers to stay home rather than going to malls and play with other kids. But he has a soft side, he keep on carrying his beloved chicken stuff toy (his 11 years old) until now. Unlike my bunso he is the macho type love toy guns, extreme games and going outside. He also tease his kuya sometimes. So I always told my bunso that kuya have his own world and its normal.
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I love the idea of “letting your kids to explore and satisfy their curiosities” that’s what exactly what my son’s psychologist advice, my son is battling with socialization delays and I hope one day, he’ll catch-up by providing him the best support that he needs.
CraftyMom recently posted..Enter to Win: Be a Segurista Mom and win 50,000 pesos
I would pray to God for the wisdom that how you will you deal with it. He will never let you down 🙂
My son, having always see me cook, also likes to play with cooking and kitchen toys. I let him have his own fun pretending to prepare food. I learned from another mom that his son is also the same. I’m sure though that the older generation, meaning the kids’ grandparents would frown upon it and lecture us parents about giving the proper gender-based toys to the kids.
Cheanne recently posted..Bibibons, Not Your Ordinary Baby Food
I know! They would probably freak out.