“Maybe it’s a stage. And maybe it’s not. But either way, I don’t want him to ever feel like he wasn’t able to express himself because his parents didn’t support him.” by Seth Menachem
____
Every morning my four-year-old daughter, Sydney, drags a chair into her closet and plucks a dress off of the rack. I try to lean her in other directions — “Why don’t we try shorts today?” — but Sydney’s stubborn. And I think she deserves the freedom to choose what she wants to wear.
He is a doll in his dresses i think this is awesome. I might start dressing my 1year old son in dresses as it would be much easier. Have you considered ballet for him. Also if you would renew your vows he could be a flowergirl or Jr briadsmaid! Again beautiful idea.
Hugs alexis
The problem is your ‘question’ was 1 – 10million pages long and 2 – Directed at nobody. You did mention Tom, but no where have I seen Tom arguing ‘gender absolutes’ especially not wrt to clothes. My issue(maybe not this case) is the parents who claim that there son ‘chose’ certain things. Remember, children are subordinates under coercive control of their parents. They are essentially a prisoner. Children will often do what will get them approval not necessarily what they want. Extreme evidence of this can be found in the more famous examples of the Satanic Child Abuse cases. So… Read more »
Well, it appears no one who has an issue with blurring fictitiously created gender absolutes will step up and defend their point of view. How sad to have that rigid of a belief system and cannot adequately express why they have them.
My son always loved softer silkier fabrics when he was little. He loved the feel against his skin. When he was three we moved and then he played till about the age of seven with the girls next door often. He begged a purple sparkly swimsuit with LOVE written on it from them and wore it an entire summer. I mean he wore it to bed too … had to wash that thing like every two days! He is now nearly 15 and an emotionally balanced, kind, caring, astute and assertive young man … with a fab dress sense and… Read more »
So? Which am I to assume to my question. A) there is really no logic to why it bothers anyone so much when gender lines are crossed or b) because a long and well reasoned answer is forthcoming? The immediate visceral reaction comes quick but the rational reasoned approach is slow in coming, which to be fair is a rather frequent occurrence in this culture.
Sorry for the double post. Sometimes comments show up and sometimes they don’t but then show up later.
Tom, and to others who feel similarly, I’m going to ask a question, because I really want to know. This is a serious question, and I hope you’ll take it as such, and anser in like fashion. I don’t wish to have a heated debate without real support from either view, but I’d like to know why topics such as these draw so much vehement judgement out of folks, who are neither involved, nor affected by whatever one person does. In particular, when men or boys do anything even remotely considered to be of thee socially constructed ppurview of women,… Read more »
Tom, and to others who feel similarly, I’m going to ask a question, because I really want to know. This is a serious question, and I hope you’ll take it as such, and anser in like fashion. I don’t wish to have a heated debate without real support from either view, but I’d like to know why topics such as these draw so much vehement judgement out of folks, who are neither involved, nor affected by whatever one person does. In particular, when men or boys do anything even remotely considered to be of the socially constructed purview of women,… Read more »
I love this man. You have to pick your battles. Kids need to feel loved and accepted for who they are. There is no harm being done here. And when there is an issue that Dad needs to lay the hammer down on, the kids are more likely to know that he really means it!
What, kids whose parents have their boys wear “boy” clothes are depriving them of something? I’s rather my kids not care about clothes other then something to keep them covered, Why start planting a seed that “looks” are important? And BTW, girls clothes include shorts and shirts, sweaters and jeans. I don’t think any child needs an “I feel good” because of what I’m wearing.
My son dressed up in his older sister’s princess clothes whenever she did. They would dance around the house. It was so damn cute seeing his pudgy little body dancing and laughing along with his sister in time to whatever music caught their fancy. He grew out of it pretty much when she did. A few years later, my youngest daughter wanted to get a boy’s haircut, so that her big brother “would have a brother to play with.” She still prefers shorts and tees over skirts and dresses. I don’t care what they wear. I care that they feel… Read more »
There are so many things in this world that are worthy of people’s attention and concern. Homelessness, abject poverty, starvation etc. The choice of clothing, grooming, or body adornment for either men or women is not one of them. Good for you, family. Btw wraring a skirt in hot weather would make alot of sense for anyone!
As would shorts in hot weather. Dealing with all that you mentioned can be accomplished at the same time as dealing with issues like this. And you may be right, perhaps if the dad spent as much time and energy on the issues you mentioned, he wouldn’t concern himself with his son wearing dresses
Man, I think you’re awesome.
LOOVVEEEE ITTT!!!! <3<3<3<3<3
i want a man like that in my life. Seth u r amazing really one of a kind. such an loving father 🙂
Are you kidding me?