Letter: Boys don't cry

As kids in elementary school, my classmates and I were taught some damaging conventions. Among them: “Boys don’t cry. Pink is for girls and blue is for boys. Girls play with dolls, and boys play football.” And that hideous list went on and on.

During my phys ed classes in second and third grade (1967–1969) there was a boy who cried, presumably because he didn’t have the strength or coordination to compete in dodgeball and other sports. He displayed immense frustration, which resulted in tears. And to make matters worse, our teacher chastised him and called him names I won’t repeat here. I’m happy to say the Neanderthal who “taught” those classes left this world before he could harm anyone else.

And the mythology involving dolls and their “rightful” owners played out in an interesting way in the 1960s. Mattel introduced Barbie in 1959, and little girls adored her. At that time, there was no similar doll figure for boys. But in 1964, Hasbro began selling G.I. Joe, and the canon concerning “dolls, for girls only,” underwent a change. But Hasbro dispensed with the word “doll,” knowing boys would be reluctant to play with them, and instead, coined the more masculine term, “action figure.” And once again, the narrow, traditional constraints assigned to genders were being further fortified.

Although many years have passed, and some things have changed, I’ve taught college students who told me they were raised with the same, restrictive principles. It’s the 21st century, for goodness’ sake. Can’t we open the door a little wider and let every child experience the colors, toys and events that feel natural during their youth? We’re only on this earth for a short time, and no one should ever try to restrain interests that are innate and productive

Craig Malmrose

Ayden