This chapter made my mind drift to a day in high school that I did not think all too much of then, but have analyzed time and time again lately. I was babysitting a little girl around the age of 6 and a little boy around the age of 4. Like many little girls are, this one (Katie), had her entire room stuffed with every princess dress up costume imaginable and every item was of course pink or purple with an excessive amount of sparkles and gems on it! We decided we would play dress up and of course we would all be princesses. The little boy's face lit up when we mentioned "the princess game," and he ran to get the pink sleeping beauty like dress. I did not think too much about whether or not this was "okay" with his parents for him to be dressing up like a princess. We decided to go all out0-- make up, sparkly dresses, high heels, hair accessories. The little boy and girl were having a blast, and then the mom walked in the door. I have never seen such a look of horror when she saw her little four year old son dressed up in a princess costume. Jake said, "Mommy don't I look SOOOO pretty," as he twirled around. She responded with, "Oh my word NO Jacob, you look disgusting!!! I have told you that you do not play with little girl toys, only little boy toys!!" I think my jaw must have dropped. She looked at me and proceeded to tell me how this just cannot happen, because his father had a screaming fit when Jake painted his toe nails and how this could lead to really sinful behavior later in life.
I am still so ashamed looking back on this situation. I was 16, and I guess I did not realize just how wrong the mother's reaction really was. Not only will that encourage him to never play with his sister's toys again, but it will enforce his to believe that anyone male engaging in an activity outside of the male set gender roles is wrong.
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