Growing up tomboy, there were many things I always avoided that other girls enjoyed - dresses, braiding each other's hair, and crushes (especially crushes). When all the other girls were busy talking about boys and painting their nails a pretty pink, I was always playing laser tag and talking about the latest anime craze. That’s right, I’m an anime fan, but I’ll save that for a later article.
I still have many tomboy characteristics. My usual outfit is a t-shirt and jeans with tennis shoes. I’ll still go for a game of laser tag any day and I find videogame violence kind of cool. However, now I’m always trying to do something new with my hair. I wear eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow; I even paint my nails every three days! Basically, I’m becoming what I made fun of.
Remember a time when it was practically blasphemy for a woman to wear pants? That was a step above all women being expected to be housewives, yet still a step below women and men being considered equal members in society. My friend's mother once commented on how now it’s no big deal to see a girl in jeans, yet a while back, it was never even a thought. At first I thought it had to do with fads and said I would do it anyway. Later, I realized I was wrong. Women wore skirts because it was just the way things were. It was like a student strutting into school nude - not even a consideration.
Now everyone wears pants. It's no big deal. Skirts and dresses are still considered a female thing, though. Understandably, it will take a bit longer for guys to be able to walk around wearing skirts without being teased. It’s something a lot of people are still small-minded about.
Yet, ideas are changing. Girls are getting more and more into baseball, football, and other sports that are considered ‘tres male’. Instead of women being expected to stay at home and raise the kids, some fathers are becoming stay-at-home dads. We may even soon have a female-president (not that I want Hilary Clinton to be president).
There is still a firm stereotype of girls, just like there’s a firm stereotype of boys. An old one is that girls aren’t interested in video games. This one has faded a bit in the past five years or so, especially with games like Guitar Hero and Dance, Dance Revolution, but I have found the stereotype still very much exists.
Article comments
1 - CallmeMaddy
Nice article. Very good points. I was that kid in preschool who always had a crush. But I do very tomboyish things as well. I am a crazy Steeler fan and I love going out in my jersey and jeans. I don't usually wear make up/jewelery.
The main thing I noticed about male/female stereotypes is with football. I love talking football with the boys, and they are always shocked that I can hold an intelligent football conversation (That's how I usually hook boys I'm interested in. Shh ... it's my best technique).
But other than that, I don't really notice it. I've never known a guy who thinks girls don't like violence or horror movies. Maybe I'm just dense.
Anyway, nice article. I'm looking forward to the next.
Oh, and men who can pull off eyeliner are incredibly sexy. Unfortunately, most men can't pull it off.
Maddy :)
2 - Katelynn Phillips
I with you there about guys who can pull off eyeliner, especially my guy, he can pull it off anyday...but his grandparents got weirded out on time after my friends and I hung out.
I tend to agree that stereotypes aren't as strong as they use to be, but you'll still get a guy or two who doesn't think a girl can handle violence and other stuff, but it's not like it was five or even ten years ago.
I don't have the first clue about football, my friend David's really into it, but he doesn't really seem interested in teaching me about it, and I really don't want to learn...
Thanks for the comment, Maddy!
3 - Sarah
I agree totally with all these statement. Bottom-line: be what your heart tells you to be. My mom AND dad have tried to turn me more girly. For example trying to buy me a skirt or bikini. What's up with that? I like wearing jeans and a one piece. That doesn't make me boyish. I am a straight person and they think that being like this will affect my later life. I love wearing black band shirts, jeans and still I like jewelry and a slight bit of perfume. Nail polish works for me, but I dont spend too much time on it. I also enjoy video games and laser tag. That doesn't make me a boy. I hope your article gets more recognition and praise! Keep up the good work!
4 - Katelynn Phillips
Thanks for the comment Sarah! I appreciate the thoughts.... I'm totally into the video games (halo? amazing!)... Hopefully, people realize that it doesn't matter if someone's girly or manly... it's the person themselves that count. Besides, jeans are so much better for playing lazor tag then skirts...(not sure who would even try that)
Thanks again,
Katelynn