girly boy

@tiffiny (872)
United States
December 11, 2007 1:59pm CST
I have a question for you guys. My son loves Dora. I'm not to concerned about it because he's learning his numbers and ABC's and great things. But yesterday we went to the store and he got a Dora felt picture and it was all princess. And today at the library he got a Dora DVD. What do I say to his dad when he starts in abot Dora being for girls? I know it will happen that's why I want to prepare. Thanks
6 people like this
18 responses
@imadriscoll (2228)
• United States
12 Dec 07
My son has two older sisters and he loves to wear their shoes and play with dolls. He also likes balls and trucks, as do the girls. I think that a healthy balance is just fine. Dora is an educational tool and in my opinion a lot better for a young child then say Power Rangers or Transformers! As soon as he starts school the other boys will make it perfectly clear what is and is not a "boy" toy.
@mksneha (861)
• India
12 Dec 07
what is the age of your boy, probably 5 or so i think. I think he's just a kid with all normal feelings and expresses it as well without hiding.now this is the main thing,he is not hiding that he likes dora.it should all be right if he grows up. if i am contrary to what you think please excuse me.
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
12 Dec 07
Was that the only felt picture of Dora, if so, who really cares. My oldest at one point in time loved Blues Clues and the Tellytubbies or however they are spelt. If your son is your normal typical child, he will go through a lot of fazes. My kids are girls, but that didn't stop them from liking toys that was made for boys. Your doing a good job, like you said he's learning his numbers and abc's, which is very important before he goes to school. You can get him educational toys, I know with Leapfrog and Vtech, they have Dora cartridges that helps a child learn the same things from the show. If your husband brings up that he thinks Dora is for girls and not boys, I would simply say Dora has many friends that are boys. Boots is a boy, Diego is a boy, etc. Most of all it shouldn't matter what he's watching as long as he's learning. If he stills throws a hissy fit over it, put your foot down and say, he can take Dora away, only if he's willing to sit with him and watch so called boy learning programs, go with him and buy so called boy items and deal with a child that's upset for being told what he likes is wrong. Honestly, just block the rude/weird comments out and let him do what he's been doing and that's learning.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
12 Dec 07
well i dont know about that because they do have diego right? but when my daughter was little she loved hotwheels and trains (we bought her a polly pocket race track for christmas this year! she is 10) but she still like dolls and that sort of stuff... just make sure he is well rounded, give him boy stuff as well as dora.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
12 Dec 07
One of my sons is a girly man. He really loves all things girly. Hair bows and girly shows. His father is a manly man who hunts and fishes all the time. When he used to say stuff about it I would tell him that he is having fun and learning. I always allow them to express themselves any way they want without making them feel bad. Seeing how happy our son was just being himself his father finally let up and enjoys it with him. Though he does take him out fishing more too. LOL
• United States
12 Dec 07
Whats wrong with a boy liking girl things? Im a girl who loves boy things.. Even since I was little and I came out a normal straight girl.. Give him time, He'll either grow out of it or get picked on enough that he'll leave it be.
• United States
12 Dec 07
You should explain to your husband that its good for your son because he is learning. Im sure he wouldnt want your son to stop learning just because he thought something was girly. I dont see a problem with it at all. But men feel differently on subjects like this. Good luck.
@mistissa (1349)
• Netherlands
12 Dec 07
Who says Dora is for girls? I think you are seeing a problem when there is none. My middle child is a boy and he likes Dora and Diego. He also likes to play with dolls, as my daughter also likes to play with cars. I think it is silly to say that some toys are for boys and some for girls. It is just as silly to say that some jobs are for men and others for women.There is no difference, and I don't think you should say you have a girly boy at all.
@garnet80 (349)
• Australia
12 Dec 07
I see no problem with Dora my son who is almost 3 doesn't mind Dora. Yes he does have a lot of other interests but he sill likes Dora. The way I look at it if they are learning and having fun let them go. There is nothing wrong with learning and Dora the Explorer does have males on the show too. More than likely like most kids he'll move onto another interest sooner or later.
@jazzygunz (178)
• United States
12 Dec 07
Weel, if his dad does get to the point about the dora character just tell him that it is just a cartoon and at his age he doent really differentiate girl toys and boy toys. Maybe to avoid the whole converstion you could buy your son some of the diego toys. He is also part of the dora collection only a boy. I doubt you are teh only one with this problem because many kids like her.
• Philippines
12 Dec 07
im just fifteen years old so im not an expert or something. i just want to share what are teacher told us. According to her, during the early years of children, they aren't aware of their gender or sexuality. So, its the role of the parents to introduce to them their gender. Like for example, a baby boy. The parents should plant the idea that he is a boy and do things that boys usually do. In that way there will be no confusion that will develop in the baby's mind.
@ramoore (72)
• United States
12 Dec 07
i dont think there are gender toys or shows, but to make your husband happy, they have diego shows and dvds. he is doras male cousin.
• United States
12 Dec 07
I think that sillychick did an excellent job answer this question. I agree. I know a lot of young boys that enjoy Dora and other "girly" shows. They are too young to have the ability to understand the difference, not that it should matter either way. Plus, my niece, who is now 4, watched Dora for years, and she knows just about every spanish word they've used on the show. I definitely am in favor of that show!
• United States
12 Dec 07
I know what you mean. My daughter is 3 years old and loves spiderman and tonka trucks. However, she still likes dora and diego. My feeling about it is that I'm not going to tell her no just because I think that they are for boys. Dhe is still learning the same thing from Diego that she would from Dora. She will grow out of it just as your son will. Myson was actually the same way. He is 7 years old and when he was 1 year old he used to cary around this doll called star bright. I'm sure you remember who that is. When he turned 3 years old he decided that he didn't want to play with it anymore. He wanted to play with Gi I Joes. It's the same as telling a woman she can't work on cars because it's for boys. Or telling a guy he can't sew because that's for girls. He will grow out of it. I hope this helps.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
11 Dec 07
Personally, I feel that Dora is just for young kids, not a specific gender. I am sure you husband does something that may be considered girly, use that an a battle weapon. I have a boy that likes things that could be considered girly and it doesn't bother me or his step-dad, his Dad has a HUGE problem with it. If your husband says anything and your son picks up on it, then your son will know that is a hot button. For example, my son love high school musical (we had to hunt around disney for a boys HS musical shirt) so every time he goes to his dads he brings the CD and the DVD and makes sure he wears the shirt all because he knows it annoys the heck out of his father.
@peni88 (469)
• United States
11 Dec 07
i dont think that dora is just for girls. at least your son is learning. i think your husband should look at it that way. plus they have diego too. i wouldnt worry about it though. i think dora is a great show for all kids. my son learned alot from that show. good luck
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
11 Dec 07
Dora has friends who are boys. He just accociates the learning and everything with Dora, because she is the main character. I think it is great that a child is willing to learn, and there are TV shows that help them by keeping them interested, like the show "Dora The Explorer".
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
11 Dec 07
Tell his dad that you habve a friend (me) who is a mother of 6 children and knows a little something about child development (no I'm no expert but dad doesn't need to know that part lol). Tell him that MY 4 almost 5 year old son has loved the color pink since he was 3, plays with dolls, loves Dora, and all other "girly" things but I know that it means absolutely nothing....EXCEPT that he is growing up to be a loving, nurturing person that this world needs more of. There is nothing wrong with your son's choices and you are a great mom for allowing him this freedom.