As we were ambling down one of Delaware’s boardwalks, we came upon this little kid’s ride. This thirteen-year-old could not resist jumping in his favorite superhero’s car, even though he had long ago outgrown the space. Note the emblem centered on the tee shirt. It was actually transplanted from an outgrown shirt. His taste in clothing hasn’t changed much in the past few years: baggy tops, baggier bottoms and practical shoes. Hair is unkempt, but mostly clean. Some children are exposed to things that make them want to mature too quickly. Boys aren’t barraged to grow up as rapidly as girls and tend to mature at a slower rate.
At this tender age, this child is gifted in many things. You are looking at an artist, musician, problem-solver, a smart, intelligent, very imaginative kid who loves learning and is an excellent student. He is inquisitive and intrigued by taxidermy, crop circles, tattooing, and politics. He has always been very independent and does not like to be cuddled. He mows the lawns for his parents and grandparents and collects fingernails (yuck) and trolls. Some of his favorite interests are video games, aliens, dinosaurs, physical stunts, and action figures. If permitted he would wear combat boots with his batman cape and dyed (orange or green) hair.
Well, the gender typing doesn’t quite fit… you see, this was my daughter a couple years ago. It does however support our text that it is more acceptable for a girl to adopt typical boy attributes than it would have been had the son donned a pretty pink princess tee shirt, shorts and strappy sandals and jumped on a girlie ride. “Little girls are permitted more latitude in their attire, toy preferences, and behaviors than little boys are (Crawford & Unger, 2004.)”
3 comments:
The Batman Forever at the bottom of the car represents everything about this picture. The child does not want to grow up and lose the joy of being a child. The color scheme makes the picture pop by highlighting the yellow Batman insignias. By having the background blurry, the car and the fun that the child is having are the main focus. I like how it is hard to distinguish if it is a boy or a girl. She does not care that she might be perceived as un-cool all she wants to do is have a good time. She wants to be able to be “Batman Forever”.
I like how the author described a boy even though it was her own daughter because she throws you a curve ball when you discover that it is her own daughter that likes to collect fingernails and do the typical boy things. I also like how the author brings up the point that it is easier for girls to act like boys than for boys to act like girls.
I am 24 years old and still love the Disney princesses. I still buy the dolls when i can, and my mom still buys methings with thier faces on them like posters, clocks, etc. Even though I still collect these things that are meant for younger girls, i'm still smart and in school, Im mature and have a job that i have done very well in.. So I am mature in many aspects of my life but still love my Disney.
I definitely agree with this statement. I think it is a shame that little boys who play with dolls and who cry are shunned. What is so wrong with a boy showing emotion? If it is acceptable for girls to have a tomboy stage growing up, then it shouldn't be so stigamitized for a boy to have a tomgirl stage.
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