Immediately my reaction was to say, "Mason boys don't play with dolls." Then I got to thinking why not? He's not damaging the doll. He's not doing inappropriate things to it either. By inappropriate I mean running over it with a toy car or throwing it. My son was nurturing the doll. Pushing the doll in a stroller, hugging her, kissing her, and soothing the dolly to "sleep." He was saying things like "its ok baby don't cry", so why couldn't he play with the doll?
If he was doing things his father and I do with him and his brother day in and day out; who am I to tell him he can't imitate us? I know some of you may agree and others disagree, but this things called gender roles has it all wrong in my opinion. Society has it all black and white boys only play with cars and girls only play with dolls. If either uses the other he/she is gay. Strong words, but dare tell me I'm lying?
If this is what society deems correct then guys cannot be fathers and women can't drive cars! Are you understanding my logic? Society teaches us that only a little girl can pretend to be a mommy, and only little boys can pretend to drives cars around a town. Only a boy can pretend to go to war and only a girl can pretend to cook dinner, or vacuum a floor. Check your local toy store. Where are the toy guns and toy cars? In the boys section. Where are the kitchens and aprons and home like items? In the girls section.
I'm not saying these things aren't made gender neutral. However, for one second think how these things are presented to us. From today on...if my son wants to nurture a doll I will not keep him from it just like I won't keep him from playing with his cars.
