Boys playing with dolls

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Do you think its normal / acceptable for little boys to play with barbie (and other) dolls?

 

[Skillet]

Traditionally speaking, playing with dolls has been considered a girl's pastime. From the 1940s to the 1960s, when dolls were quickly gaining popularity, it was the female children who could be found role-playing in the shoes of their mother or grandmother. Today, more and more people are starting to embrace the concept of boys playing with dolls.



The debate of boys and dolls is a long-standing, often relationship-dividing, argument. Parents of young boys often find themselves at arms with each other over a simple toy, and it doesn't take long for other family members, friends, and neighbors to get involved.



Much of the concern - from a male point of view - seems to stem from the fact that dolls are considered a feminine toy. Fathers and other men struggle with the mental image of watching their tough young son coddle a toy baby; in fact, many men worry that playing with a doll will cause negative consequences in their son's future. Acceptance begins with the adult male's outlook on life itself, including his ability to embrace other people's lifestyles, such as that of homosexuality.



Most experts agree: Playing with dolls cannot possibly cause a young boy to develop an overtly feminine side. What many parents fail to realize is that caring for a doll requires imagination, care, love, and concern on the child's part. There is something about watching a young boy care for a baby that is heartwarming and genuine, especially if that child is otherwise rough-and-tough.



From birth, most boys are taught to be resilient and to play with trucks and tractors. Although it is possible that boys instinctively gravitate towards boy toys, they also mimic real life and other playmates. If a young boy sees a young girl having fun with a doll, he will also want to play a role. It's also common for boys who spend the majority of their time with their mother or female caregiver to be drawn to conventional girl toys. Adult females are often more accepting of the situation than male influences, supporting a young boy to follow wherever his imagination may take him.



Overall, most parents and educators agree that activities should not be split by gender. Boys should have as much of an opportunity as girls to play house, care for dolls, or use toy mops and brooms. As the years progress, less and less focus is being placed on traditional roles, making it increasingly important for young boys to realize the importance of gender equality.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-Boys-Play-With-Dolls?&id=1604447





This article supports my view.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Well my daughter has loads of toys that would be considered boy-toys.. But I dont mind her playing with them... I suppose its just frowned upon if a boy plays with a girl toy.



If I had a son and he was playing with Barbies, I would probably have a problem with it. It just doesnt seem right to me.



Would I stop him or take the barbies away if I found him playing with them?

..No..

but I would probably encourage him (or make it seem like its more fun) to play with action figures or other boy-toys instead.

 

[Skillet]

Action figures are just dolls that are made to fit the whole male persona. In the bigger picture, there's no difference between dolls and action figures. A child isn't going to turn out homosexual just from dolls.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

A child isn't going to turn out homosexual just from dolls.

I didnt say they would..

 

[Skillet]

Then what is it that makes you frown upon this? Just the idea of them playing with a girl toy?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

yeah its just odd and unnatural. Call me old fashioned or whatever. But thats how I feel.

I would probably be embarassed if people seen my son (if I had one) playing with barbie dolls in front of other people.

 

[Skillet]

I don't call you odd. Reality is, I'm the same way. I just like to question some of the things around us. It will do more harm for the child in our society to play with dolls. That's not saying I will have a problem with it, it's saying other people will not think it's normal, and make it even harder for this child to be accepted in today's world.

 

[Payton]

I don't think there's anything wrong with playing with dolls if you're a guy. I also don't see how having an overly feminine side is bad.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I don't think there's anything wrong with playing with dolls if you're a guy.

Boy.. Not guy. A guy is a grown person... If you are an adult man playing with barbie dolls, then thats even more strange.

I also don't see how having an overly feminine side is bad

Maybe not bad, but extremely annoying to everyone around you (if you are the overly feminine one)..

 

[Payton]

Boy.. Not guy. A guy is a grown person... If you are an adult man playing with barbie dolls, then thats even more strange.

Maybe not bad, but extremely annoying to everyone around you (if you are the overly feminine one)..

I usually just say guy whether it's a man or boy, but still... also, it's possible to be really feminine and still not annoying. However I acknowledge not every male who has an overly feminine side to them keeps their cool about it; but then again, there are some people with an overly masculine side that can get annoying to. What I'm saying is, it doesn't matter if you're overly masculine or feminine, as long as you keep yourself controlled, it shouldn't be a problem to anyone.

 

[hotspot]

I played with my sisters dolls when I was younger, but they were action heroines! They fought crime!

 

[Sam.]

I have played with dolls before, and I'm perfectly normal.



It's questionable, though.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I have played with dolls before, and I'm perfectly normal.

If thats what you want to think...