Boys are more likely to play with guns and trucks, while girls tend to go more towards the barbies and dolls. Boys are more aggressive, girls are more gentle and caring. But why is that? Is it because people are raising their boys the wrong way? We watched a video for our family class that talked all about the differences between boys and girls, and if those differences are good or bad, avoidable or encouraged, or maybe biased.
In the video it showed boys and girls playing in a day care setting. The boys immediately went to the guns, playing cops and robbers and pretending to fight. The girls went straight to the pretend make up and dress up station. They helped each other, talked to each other, and became friends. A woman in the video said that that was not okay, and we need to start raising our boys the same as our girls.
I personally do not agree with her. Boys are boys, and girls are girls. I think it is normal for boys to be more aggressive and rough than girls. I do think that there is a line that needs to be drawn on how far young boys go with their violent playing and tough-play, but I don't think they should be the same as girls. Little girls are more in-tune with their thoughts and emotions towards each other. They are usually more sensitive and focus on the caring, loving aspect of their relationships with each other.
I can say from personal experience that I am definitely one of those girls that are much more sensitive. When I was younger, if I did something wrong and my mom got mad at me, I would just get mad back. But if I did something wrong and my mom said "It's okay Kayla, it's not your fault" then I would break down in tears because I felt bad and guilty for doing something wrong. It was more of a punishment for me when my mom DIDN'T get mad because that's when I felt the worst :)
HOWEVER - even though I don't think boys should have to be exactly like girls, I also don't think that we shouldn't force boys to play with the trucks and guns if they don't want to. There's always going to be those boys that like playing with the kitchen, or the girls that like to play with the guns. I believe that it is about who they are as an individual and what interests them.
Now if we took this a little more into adulthood with the differences between husband and wife, I still think that each gender has their own role in the marriage, but the responsibilities can also be shared. Dad is usually the one that goes to work, makes the money, and provides for the family. While mom is the one who stays at home, cleans, takes care of the kids, does the laundry, and cooks dinner. Those roles are very important, but I also think the husbands can help out around the house when it is needed and clean up after the himself and the kids. Marriages always work better when there is a mutual agreement on the responsibilities in the household.
Of course everyone will have their own opinion on how boys and girls should be raised. But for me, I think we just need to raise our children and treat them equal. They can decide for themselves what interests them and as parents we should not be biased against that. :)
Also, here is the link to the video I was talking about if anyone wants to watch it. It is from BYU-Idaho and lasts about 50 minutes.
http://stream.byui.edu/VideoPlayer/BYUIplayer.html?StartCue=18&EndCue=2839&VideoName=5687_vcs&Video
In the video it showed boys and girls playing in a day care setting. The boys immediately went to the guns, playing cops and robbers and pretending to fight. The girls went straight to the pretend make up and dress up station. They helped each other, talked to each other, and became friends. A woman in the video said that that was not okay, and we need to start raising our boys the same as our girls.
I personally do not agree with her. Boys are boys, and girls are girls. I think it is normal for boys to be more aggressive and rough than girls. I do think that there is a line that needs to be drawn on how far young boys go with their violent playing and tough-play, but I don't think they should be the same as girls. Little girls are more in-tune with their thoughts and emotions towards each other. They are usually more sensitive and focus on the caring, loving aspect of their relationships with each other.
I can say from personal experience that I am definitely one of those girls that are much more sensitive. When I was younger, if I did something wrong and my mom got mad at me, I would just get mad back. But if I did something wrong and my mom said "It's okay Kayla, it's not your fault" then I would break down in tears because I felt bad and guilty for doing something wrong. It was more of a punishment for me when my mom DIDN'T get mad because that's when I felt the worst :)
HOWEVER - even though I don't think boys should have to be exactly like girls, I also don't think that we shouldn't force boys to play with the trucks and guns if they don't want to. There's always going to be those boys that like playing with the kitchen, or the girls that like to play with the guns. I believe that it is about who they are as an individual and what interests them.
Now if we took this a little more into adulthood with the differences between husband and wife, I still think that each gender has their own role in the marriage, but the responsibilities can also be shared. Dad is usually the one that goes to work, makes the money, and provides for the family. While mom is the one who stays at home, cleans, takes care of the kids, does the laundry, and cooks dinner. Those roles are very important, but I also think the husbands can help out around the house when it is needed and clean up after the himself and the kids. Marriages always work better when there is a mutual agreement on the responsibilities in the household.
Of course everyone will have their own opinion on how boys and girls should be raised. But for me, I think we just need to raise our children and treat them equal. They can decide for themselves what interests them and as parents we should not be biased against that. :)
Also, here is the link to the video I was talking about if anyone wants to watch it. It is from BYU-Idaho and lasts about 50 minutes.
http://stream.byui.edu/VideoPlayer/BYUIplayer.html?StartCue=18&EndCue=2839&VideoName=5687_vcs&Video