People often give me a hard time when they realize I don’t like to dress my human up in what society currently believes is gender appropriate clothing. My soft explanation is that I am frugal and I dress my Human in whatever was donated to us.
My true and more passionate explanation for those that seem to need a little more educating is supported by this post here shared by @rebelgirlsbook .
Women are viewed and treated different THE MOMENT their existence is known. Not even at birth but in the WOMB. The moment society knows we are carrying a girl, they treat her differently. She is deemed “a delicate flower,” “sensitive” (and not in a positive way) “a princess” (the helpless kind not the inspiring world changing kind.)
This is why I am the way I am. Hell bent on raising #abetterhuman regardless of sex.I already see when people don’t know if she’s a boy or girl they treat her differently. They see her qualities for what they are. Her intelligence, her strength.
When they realize she’s a girl… suddenly people coo and tell her she’s pretty and yet when they thought she was a boy they say things like “wow he’s so strong, so tough, so brave!”
Where are these words for our girls?
Long ago… long long ago I accepted that my path through motherhood would be difficult. I accepted that people will judge me, judge my parenting, criticize and talk behind my back.
I vowed long ago that my children would be allowed equal opportunity, and even beyond that I endeavor to teach them to give OTHERS equal opportunity.
Growing up I was excluded from “boy only things” constantly! Dirt biking, laser tag, golf, go carting. I was told to go shopping with tbe women and not to be a “tom boy” or be more “lady-like.”
As an adult, when I raise these issues, people have said to me “no one’s stopping you, just do it.” But that’s not the point is it? The point is NO ONE LET ME – AS A GIRL CHILD.
Yes, now as an adult I can do what I want, but who was there to provide me with the opportunities as a girl child? NO ONE. We must change this.
My daughter is going to ride dirt bikes, climb mountains, paddle rivers, and change the world.
• Who else is willing to help me join this lifelong pursuit to change the way we view, address and treat girls?
