In “Beyond Birds & Bees,” Bonnie J. Rough writes about her time an American mom living in the Netherlands, and how they had government-produced brochures in the pediatrician’s office encouraging cross-gender friendships for kids.
Love this, Jeremy! As the mom of a 12 year old boy, I'm so happy to see that he and several other boys still actively see out friendships with girls (who also are only looking for friendships) and kids who identify as nonbinary. My husband and I are doing everything we can to support this, given the way that so many of the boys (and girls) who are separating themselves by gender seem isolated and unhappy. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
When I was a little girl, before I moved to another neighbourhood when I was in grade 7, I was a tomboy. I had two brothers and most of the kids in the neighbourhood were boys. I had a couple girl friends, but they weren't neighbours.
It's always interesting to me that my experience of these boys was so much different from what I see in movies. No one bullied anyone else. We just had lots of energy and played baseball, soccer, football, that sort of thing. I was shy, but girls need to run around and exercise too. It was very egalitarian and felt normal and like it was no big deal. It seemed like we were all being ourselves.
In “Beyond Birds & Bees,” Bonnie J. Rough writes about her time an American mom living in the Netherlands, and how they had government-produced brochures in the pediatrician’s office encouraging cross-gender friendships for kids.
I love that! We need that.
Love this, Jeremy! As the mom of a 12 year old boy, I'm so happy to see that he and several other boys still actively see out friendships with girls (who also are only looking for friendships) and kids who identify as nonbinary. My husband and I are doing everything we can to support this, given the way that so many of the boys (and girls) who are separating themselves by gender seem isolated and unhappy. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Thanks for bringing in nonbinary kids/folks! I now wish I had included that in my post. It's so important. Appreciate you reading and commenting!
So grateful for your vulnerability, Jeremy!
When I was a little girl, before I moved to another neighbourhood when I was in grade 7, I was a tomboy. I had two brothers and most of the kids in the neighbourhood were boys. I had a couple girl friends, but they weren't neighbours.
It's always interesting to me that my experience of these boys was so much different from what I see in movies. No one bullied anyone else. We just had lots of energy and played baseball, soccer, football, that sort of thing. I was shy, but girls need to run around and exercise too. It was very egalitarian and felt normal and like it was no big deal. It seemed like we were all being ourselves.