LJWorld.com weblogs Angell at My Table
Posted
by Marlo Angell
January 26, 2009 at 3:09 a.m.
Children's Tea Time
When I asked my sons if they wanted to go to a tea party at Border's this Saturday, they enthusiastically said, "yes!" It did not cross my mind they would be the only boys there. Okay, so even if it had, it wouldn't have stopped me. I've taken those little guys to plenty of classes where they were the only boys there, like ballet and gymnastics, and it's never seemed to bother them. Tea time was no exception... well almost.They loved the hot chocolate and cookies served up by their gracious hosts at the storytime. It was truly a nice little intro to manners and ceremony in a kid friendly setting. Then, there was one "Fancy Nancy" book that the adults joked the boys might not like as it was a bit girly. With that casual comment, I noticed a change in my older son. It was the first time I saw him not look at a book during a storytime.It got me thinking about what age children shy away from things we think of as gender specific and what role adults play in that transformation. There is, after all, nothing inherently feminine about tea. It seems to me, as parents, we have some responsibility in broadening their interests and exposing them to a variety of experiences that will make them well rounded individuals. My boys are a rowdy cars-loving-karate fighting duo, but I have to say, I truly appreciate their sensitive and thoughtful sides as well.
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Comments
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femail (Linda Hanney) says…
Marlo, this year I hope to spend more time with each grandchild individually. No matter if we hike outside or have hot chocolate in fancy cups, they have greater freedom to enjoy the attention in a way they choose without sibling or peer pressure. And it is easier for me!
Kookamooka (MJ Browne) says…
Men all over the world drink tea. What is the big deal? We are so hyped up, in the US, on gender roles it's insane. Men in England, India, China, and Japan regularly drink tea as part of their everyday lives. And here's a little secret.....some men are really great cooks! and some do a great job of changing diapers. We have such rigid stereotypes in our country. If my son wants a play kitchen, or a baby doll, or to drink tea....more power to him. He'll be a better spouse and father and maybe even skip his nap.
liggyon (David Lignell) says…
Marlo, When our kids were in the scouts, we used to bring our daughter to the pinewood derby to watch the boyscouts race their cars. She asked why the girlscouts didn't race the cars. We didn't have an answer then and we still don't now. Apparently, she had far more interest in building and racing than our boys did. She was able to build the cars right along side them, but she was only able to race her car during practice on the night before. Gender roles. Go figure.