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[lisacolleen]

I thought that I was all feminist and progressive, what with actively avoiding overly-pink clothing for my daughter, and seeking out gender-neutral clothing. "We don't need to impose societal notions of gender on her this early! She'll get that from greater society soon enough

Comments

[blanchemains]

I think it's a reflex. I read that the kind of talking patterns most parents fall into with infants (baby talk) actually helps children learn to speak. And everyone does it in every culture. So maybe we automatically assume the task of teaching our children gender identity?

Which isn't at all the same thing as teaching little girls to be doormats who can't get dirty and play with trucks. (Which, I will agree, is a thing to be avoided!)

I also have this theory about why moms inflict guilt upon their children: The little egotists have to be taught guilt, empathy, altruism, etc. and it's our johb to administer those lessons. It's also our job to know when enough is enough- but that's a whole other discussion!

[cersei_caress]

Her mother is an attorney, owns property, does things on her terms and is an all around kick ass sexy chick all by her own bad self - I think daughter will get the important "females = rock" message regardless of what she's wearing.

[lisacolleen]

Thanks for the helpful input. I agree with what you both have to say (well, while I still have a whole lot of baby weight to lose, perhaps not the "sexy"). The important thing is to teach her that being a girl is not a limitation - she can be as active, and get as dirty, as she likes.

Still, it is always disconcerting when you learn that your perception of yourself doesn't reconcile with reality.

[terraprime]

Our ideals don't always mesh with reality, or with our protective instinct for our children