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- Boys Have Emotions Too
by Mia Thompson
Updated: Aug. 31, 2015
Originally Published: Aug. 28, 2015
My son loves to write, so I’m always on the lookout for the perfect journals and notebooks for him. A few months back, during a work trip to New York City, I visited a charming boutique bookstore near Columbia University. While exploring the adult section upstairs, I found a delightful notebook adorned with an owl that I knew would capture his imagination. However, when I ventured downstairs to the children’s section, I was met with an array of pink and purple glittery diaries that I knew he would dislike.
It’s disheartening that pink and glitter are often synonymous with girls, a notion deeply ingrained in our culture due to marketing strategies. When my son was just three years old, he proudly declared pink as his favorite color, and my husband and I fully supported his choice. We even made a pink Brachiosaurus birthday cake for him, much to our delight. Yet, once he started kindergarten, he resisted wearing a pink Polo shirt, vehemently denying his previous affinity for the color by exclaiming, “That’s not true.”
The reality is that the diaries I came across in New York were predominantly marketed towards girls, who are socially encouraged to express their feelings openly. This gendered messaging sends a troubling signal to boys: that writing about their emotions is not for them.
Recently, Target announced its decision to eliminate gender-specific signage in certain departments, including toys and bedding. This corporate move is a significant step toward challenging the restrictive norms perpetuated by traditional marketing. Just as girls can enjoy Legos and action figures, boys should feel free to express themselves through writing in journals or playing with dolls.
The backlash over this change seems unfounded. Target isn’t compelling parents to buy Barbies for their sons; rather, they are broadening the spectrum of choices available. If a boy desires a My Little Pony, Target won’t label it as a “girl toy” through its marketing.
As an adult, I don’t seek out the “women’s” section to find a journal. Whether it’s a large retailer like Target or a quaint shop, I have the freedom to choose a notebook that appeals to me, which certainly won’t be pink and glittery. So, why do we continue to impose these outdated gender norms on our children?
I want to instill in my son the understanding that it’s perfectly acceptable to express his feelings, to document his dreams, and to use writing as an outlet for his frustrations. The question remains: How many pink journals will he encounter before he concludes that expressing emotions is solely a “girl thing”? At what point will societal pressures lead him to suppress his authentic self?
It’s time for companies that market to children to critically assess the messages their products convey. No child should feel out of place or odd because of their chosen interests or toys. For more insights into fertility and family matters, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the cultural stigma surrounding gendered toys and activities needs to change. Boys, like girls, should have the freedom to express their feelings and explore their interests without the constraints of outdated stereotypes.