Dear Little Girl at the Bouncy House:
You are very cute, your brown curls bobbing to your enthusiasm as you twirl about singing "Let it Go" at the top of your lungs. You are having an amazing time, pretending you are a beautiful princess with magical ice powers.
So why did you just tell my little boy that he can't sing "Let it Go" and pretend he has ice powers, too?
I do not blame you specifically, Little Girl, because, after all, you are four years old and ignorant in the ways of the world. You have no idea the vastness and the richness of life. Not yet.
But I do blame the adults out there who say, "boys can't."
Boys can't wear nail polish.
Boys can't play with dolls.
Boys can't be girls in video games.
I have heard all of these things in regards to my boys and now I can add to the list: Boys can't sing.
Expectations like these are akin to pigeonholing girls into mothering and teaching or nursing professions because "that's what girls are supposed to do."
No.
All people have the capability to become whatever they want in life. If my boys would rather become nurses ballet dancers, teachers, flight attendants, or any profession that is traditionally a "woman's" profession, that's fine with me. If they choose to become construction workers, computer programmers, engineers, or scientists - you know, "manly" professions - that would be wonderful, too.
In sum, Little Girl, I hope you will never have to see your little boy run up to you with tears in his eyes, bottom lip quivering, telling you in halting words that a little girl told him that he couldn't sing. Because it will break your heart, too.
Concerned Mother
Blessed be.
You are very cute, your brown curls bobbing to your enthusiasm as you twirl about singing "Let it Go" at the top of your lungs. You are having an amazing time, pretending you are a beautiful princess with magical ice powers.
So why did you just tell my little boy that he can't sing "Let it Go" and pretend he has ice powers, too?
I do not blame you specifically, Little Girl, because, after all, you are four years old and ignorant in the ways of the world. You have no idea the vastness and the richness of life. Not yet.
But I do blame the adults out there who say, "boys can't."
Boys can't wear nail polish.
Boys can't play with dolls.
Boys can't be girls in video games.
I have heard all of these things in regards to my boys and now I can add to the list: Boys can't sing.
Expectations like these are akin to pigeonholing girls into mothering and teaching or nursing professions because "that's what girls are supposed to do."
No.
All people have the capability to become whatever they want in life. If my boys would rather become nurses ballet dancers, teachers, flight attendants, or any profession that is traditionally a "woman's" profession, that's fine with me. If they choose to become construction workers, computer programmers, engineers, or scientists - you know, "manly" professions - that would be wonderful, too.
In sum, Little Girl, I hope you will never have to see your little boy run up to you with tears in his eyes, bottom lip quivering, telling you in halting words that a little girl told him that he couldn't sing. Because it will break your heart, too.
Concerned Mother
Blessed be.
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